Bio
Born in Brooklyn and raised on Staten Island, Cassandra Hines found her passion for mathematics in high school, inspired by a pre-calculus teacher who made the subject come alive. Though she began college studying sports journalism at Iona University, her joy in tutoring classmates in calculus revealed her true calling—teaching. She earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the College of Staten Island and a master’s in education and special education from Touro University, combining strong content knowledge with a deep commitment to student growth.
Since joining McKee CTE High School in 2014, Ms. Hines has become a transformative presence in mathematics education. She teaches Algebra I through AP Pre-Calculus with energy, empathy, and innovation, guiding students to see math as both accessible and empowering. Her lessons blend collaboration, creativity, and technology—students design roller coasters to model polynomial functions, calculate cocoa temperatures using Newton’s Law of Cooling, and strengthen reasoning with “Because, But, So” prompts. She pairs her high standards with extraordinary support, offering daily tutoring and weekend review sessions.
Her results speak volumes: in 2024, 73 percent of her first AP Pre-Calculus cohort passed the exam, with several earning top scores, and the school’s Algebra II Regents pass rate rose to 85 percent. As Coordinator of Student Activities, she fosters community and belonging through events like Multicultural Night and the Walk for Autism Awareness. Ms. Hines transforms math into a source of confidence, connection, and pride—embodying the excellence of an educator worthy of distinction.
