Cyntha Annette Pattison

MOUNT HOREB - Cyntha Annette Pattison, age 74, of Mount Horeb, died on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023.  She was born on March 18, 1949, in Midland, Texas, the daughter of Jack M. and Dorothy F. (Shelburne) Pattison.

Cyntha was raised in Midland and graduated with high honors from Robert E. Lee High School.  She graduated from Southwest Texas State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics and Physical Education and a Master’s of Education in Professional Development from UW-Whitewater.

Her early years in education were spent teaching mathematics, physical education, health, and computer programming at the middle and high school levels in Texas (San Antonio, Van Horn, and Ira), Oklahoma (Elgin), and Wisconsin (Milwaukee). While teaching at South Division High School (1984-1988) she was voted "Secondary Teacher of the Year” for the Milwaukee Public Schools.

In 1988, Cyntha began her work at the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) in Madison where she spent four years as the State Chapter 1/Title 1 Mathematics Consultant before serving as the Director of the Frameworks in Science and Mathematics Project (1993-1996).

From 1996 until the summer of 2006, Cyntha worked for NCREL/ Learning Point Associates (LPA) as a Senior Program Associate in mathematics, science, technology, curriculum, and professional development. Throughout these years she also served as an adjunct professor at the University of Wisconsin - Whitewater.

In 2006, Cyntha and her friend Nancy Berkas formed EdSights, LLC, focusing on improving mathematics instruction throughout the Midwest (Duluth, MN, Kankakee, IL, Marengo, IL, Carpentersville, IL, Fort Atkinson, WI to name a few of the districts), and in the US Virgin Islands (St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix).  One of her greatest sources of pride was the work she and Nancy have accomplished working with the amazing staff of Cove School (Northbrook, IL).  This work, begun in the fall of 2012, will continue.  A quote from the Director of Cove School sums up Cyntha’s influence: Cyntha Pattison provided extraordinary knowledge and support for the development of our math program. . . We are deeply grateful for her work at our school and know that the impact she has made will be everlasting.

Throughout the many ways and the many locations in which she worked, Cyntha’s focus was always on improving teaching and learning so more students would develop confidence and competence, not only in her primary focus of mathematics, but in all elements of education.  A tall task surely, but a task for which she was passionate and spent her life fulfilling.

Cyntha is survived by her sisters, D. Lynne (Luster) Lockett and Shelley (Mark) Anders, Nancy and Dean Berkas and their children Kristin and Erik; and brother-in-law, Jeff Chunn. Additionally, she is survived by her nephews and nieces, Gene and Greg Smith, Lindsey Anders, John Mark Anders and Katie Seppala and their families. She was preceded in death by her parents; and her sister, Jacqueline Royce Chunn.

Services:

A private memorial service will be held at the Berkas residence, 417 S. Brookwood Drive, Mount Horeb, at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023. A second service will be held in Kerrville, Texas in late November.

Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Research & Prevention Foundation in Tucson, Arizona and/or to the American Cancer Society.

Gunderson Camacho Mount Horeb

Funeral & Cremation Care

500 N. Eighth Street

(608) 437-5077