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Professional Development
Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching
The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) Program was established in 1983 by the White House and is sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF). The program identifies outstanding mathematics and science teachers, kindergarten through 12th grade, in each state and the four U.S. jurisdictions. Recipients serve as models for their colleagues and are recognized as leaders in the improvement of mathematics and science education.
Visit the home page of the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching
Presidential Awards Home Page
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Eligibility Requirements
Eligibility is extended to classroom teachers who have at least five years experience teaching mathematics or science in grades K-12, and who anticipate a classroom teaching assignment during the following year. Nominees must be employed full-time by a Louisiana public or nonpublic school. (Teachers on approved leave qualify if they fulfilled the eligibility requirements during the previous year.)
- Nominees at the elementary level must be assigned at least half time during the school year as classroom teachers, teaching mathematics or science in a self-contained setting or as teaching specialists.
- Nominees at the secondary level must be assigned at least half time during the school year as mathematics or science classroom teachers.
- Teachers of computer science are eligible if their students receive mathematics credit for the classes.
- Past presidential recipients are not eligible for consideration.
The competition alternates annually between teachers of grades K-6 and teachers of grades 7-12. Teachers of Grades K-6 are eligible for the 2004 Presidental Awards.
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Award Categories
Nominees compete in the following categories.
- Elementary school teachers of grades K-6 compete in the elementary school program in either the mathematics or science category.
- Teachers assigned to middle or junior high school in grades K-8 and who teach science or mathematics 50 percent or more of the time compete in the secondary school program in mathematics or science.
- High school teachers in grades 9-12 compete in the secondary school program.
- Teachers in grades K-8 self-contained classrooms who teach science and/or mathematics in addition to the full curriculum of subjects compete in the elementary school program in either the science or the mathematics category.
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Selection Process
Teachers must be nominated for the award (i.e., self-nominations are not allowed). Any individual (whether a principal, teacher, student, or other member of the general public) may nominate a teacher by completing the nomination form available on the PAEMST website.
Nomination forms for Louisiana candidates are submitted to the Louisiana state PAEMST coordinator. (A copy also should be sent to the nominee). The Louisiana State Selection Committee chooses up to three finalists from each of the award groups for recognition at the state level.
Nominations for state-level recipients are submitted to the national level for review by a National Selection Committee comprised of prominent mathematicians, scientists, mathematics/science educators, and past recipients. The National Committee's recommendations are then forwarded to the National Science Foundation for final referral to the President of the United States.
At all levels of the selection process, reviewers base their decisions on evidence of the candidate's:
- Subject matter competence and evidence of sustained professional growth in appropriate subject area(s) and in the art of teaching;
- Understanding of how children learn mathematics and/or science;
- Ability to engage students in direct, hands-on science and/or mathematics inquiry activities;
- Ability to foster curiousity and generate excitement among students, colleagues, and parents about the uses of science and mathematics in everyday life;
- Conviction that all children can learn mathematics and science, as well as a sensitivity to the needs of all students' cultural, linguistic, learning, and social uniqueness;
- Understanding of the relationships that science and mathematics share with each other and with learning in general as a reflection of the inter-connectedness of all subject matter;
- Experimental and innovative attitude in the approach taken to teaching; and
- Professional involvement and leadership.
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Awards and Recognition
At the state level, finalists receive the National Science Foundation State Certificate for Excellence in Teaching Mathematics and Science and are honored at an awards program co-sponsored by the Louisiana Department of Education and the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.
National recipients receive a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation. In addition, all national recipients are invited to bring a guest to a week of recognition events in Washington, D.C., that includes an award ceremony, presentation of a Presidential citation, meetings with leaders in government and education, and sessions to share ideas and teaching experiences, as well as receptions and banquets to honor recipients.
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State Coordinators for Louisiana
Beth Bolin Miller
Organization: East Baton Rouge Parish
1625 East Lakeshore Drive
Cell Phone 225 603 3807
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70808
Email: mmiller1@ebrschools.org
Phone: 225-383-0353
Fax: 225-387-1635
7-12 Mathematics, 7-12 Mathematics, K-6 Mathematics, K-6 Mathematics
Jan Graff
10111 Norris Ferry Road
Shreveport, Louisiana 71106
Email: jlgraff@bellsouth.net
Phone: 318-861-1331
7-12 Science, K-6 Science
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