DoDEA

ARLINGTON, VA — November 8, 2010 — Four teachers from the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) were selected as finalists for the 2010 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). Carol Fears, from Landstuhl Elementary/Middle School in Landstuhl, Germany, Ginger King, from Smith Elementary in Baumholder, Germany, and Erika Meadows, from Hohenfels Elementary School in Hohenfels, Germany have been selected to represent DoDEA as semi-finalists in the mathematics category. Lisa Zimmerman, from Hohenfels, Germany was also selected to represent DoDEA in the science category.

A DoDEA panel selected the finalists and a national panel has reviewed the finalists’ applications. The awardees will be announced by the White House at a later date.

The PAEMST program offers the Nation’s highest honors for teachers of mathematics and science. The awards recognize outstanding K-12 teachers for their contributions in the classroom and to their profession.

Since 1983, more than 4,000 teachers have been recognized for their contributions to mathematics and science education. If you know great teachers, nominate them to join this prestigious network of professionals. 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.

DoDEA consists of the Department of Defense Dependents Schools located overseas, and the Department of Defense Domestic Dependent Elementary and Secondary Schools located in the U.S. and its territories and possessions. DoDEA provides education to eligible DoD military and civilian dependents from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. DoDEA also provides support and resources to Local Education Activities throughout the U.S. that serve children of military families.