DoDEA

ARLINGTON, VA — June 8, 2010 — Two DoDEA teachers were named as recipients of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST).
Timothy Kelly, a mathematics teacher at Baumholder Middle-High School, and Ray Smola, a physics teacher at Heidelberg High School, both were selected to receive the award.
The PAEMST program was established by Congress in 1983. Since then, more than 4,000 teachers have been recognized for their contributions to mathematics and science education.
Danny Robinson, principal of Baumholder Middle/High School, praised Kelly for his dedication to mathematics education.
“Congratulations to Tim on his selection for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching,” said Robinson. “His leadership at Baumholder Middle/High School as the mathematics department chairperson and as a teacher reaches well beyond the boundaries of your classroom.”
“Tim continues to influence student math achievement at all grade levels, which includes Baumholder complex elementary schools,” Robinson added. “Tim’s focus and dedication in the area of mathematics instruction truly exemplifies DoDEA’s best.”
Smola received praise from Kevin Brewer, principal of Heidelberg High School, for infusing enthusiasm and a desire to learn into the physics classes he teaches.
“Ray is a worthy recipient of the 2010 PAEMST. He is beyond a doubt a caring teacher and mentor to his students,” said Brewer.
“Ray sets an expectation for highest student achievement in all of his classes and by doing so, his students rise to the task and excel,” Brewer said. “His professionalism, content knowledge, exuberance, dedication, and personality fuel his students with a desire to become successful lifelong learners. We need more Ray Smola’s!”
PAEMST is administered by the National Science Foundation (NSF) on behalf of the White House and recognizes outstanding mathematics and science teachers from each of the 50 states and four U.S. jurisdictions (Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, Department of Defense Schools, and the U.S. territories). This year 103 teachers are selected to receive the award.
The PAEMST award alternates every year between mathematics and science teachers teaching kindergarten through 6th grade and those teaching 7th-12th grades. This year the awards go to teachers teaching 7th-12th grades.
Teachers must be nominated by parents, students, other teachers, their principal, or assistant principal. Thirty-four math teachers and 27 science teachers were nominated from DoDEA. Teachers that were selected as nominees also had to submit an essay on their teaching philosophy and a video that showed their philosophy at work in the classroom. A panel at DoDEA reviewed the applications that were submitted and selected six finalists, three mathematics teachers and three science teachers to continue to the national level.
At the national level, NSF convened a national selection committee composed of prominent mathematicians, scientists, mathematics/science educators, and past awardees to review the applications of the state finalists. The committee will recommend one finalist in mathematics and one finalist in science from each state or jurisdiction. The Director of NSF then submits the recommendations to the President of the United States.
The Presidential Awardees will receive a citation signed by the President, a trip to Washington D.C. to attend a week-long series of recognition events and professional development seminars, and a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation. PAEMST is the nation’s highest honor in math and science.
DoDEA plans, directs, coordinates, and manages pre-kindergarten through 12th grade education programs for Department of Defense (DoD) dependents who would otherwise not have access to a high-quality, public education. DoDEA schools are located in Europe, the Pacific, the United States, Cuba, and Puerto Rico. DoDEA also provides support and resources to Local Education Activities throughout the U.S. that serve children of military families.
For more information on the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching please visit: www.paemst.org.