The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) are the highest honors bestowed by the United States government specifically for K-12 science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and/or computer science teaching. Awards are given to science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and/or computer science teachers from each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Department of Defense Education Activity schools, or the U.S. territories as a group (American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and U.S. Virgin Islands).
pictured from left to right Randy Guschl, Teri Quinn Gray, Leona Williams (Awardee) Anne Pfaelzer de Ortiz, and Michelle Kutch
The award recognizes those teachers have both deep content knowledge of the subjects they teach and the ability to motivate and enable students to be successful in those areas. Awardees reflect the expertise and dedication of the Nation’s teaching corps, and they demonstrate the positive impact of excellent teachers on student achievement.
The PAEMST has a very rigorous application process that requires applicants to write a great deal and submit a classroom video with reflections. As such, to even become a finalist for the state is a huge accomplishment. Each award year, the State of Delaware recognizes their PAEMST award winners. DFSME felt it was important to also recognize Delaware’s runner’s up considering the great honor to be considered for such an award.
DFSME Board member Steve Schwartz recognized Brandy Cooper at the Milford School District Board Meeting
Most recently, representatives from DFSME traveled to each runner up’s school board meetings to present a monetary award and certificate to each teacher. This year’s runners up were Leona Williams, 4th grade science teacher from the Brandywine School District and Brandy Cooper, 6th grade math teacher from Milford Central Academy.
Read a little more about Leona Williams and Brandy Cooper.