N.C. teachers receive Presidential Math, Science Award

Updated Jun. 10, 2010 at 12:25 p.m.

N.C. teachers receive Presidential Math, Science Award

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – North Carolina teachers Maria Hernandez and Judith Jones are two of 103 math and science teachers from throughout the United States named by President Barack Obama on Monday as recipients of the prestigious Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.

Hernandez is a secondary math teacher at the N.C. School of Science and Mathematics in Durham. Jones is a secondary science teacher at East Chapel Hill High School. Each will receive their awards in Washington, D.C. later this year.

The Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching was established in 1983 and is awarded annually to the best K-12 science and mathematics teachers from across the country.

The winners are selected by a panel of distinguished scientists, mathematicians, and educators.

This is the nation’s highest honor for math and science teachers.

This national award administered for the White House by the National Science Foundation (NSF) allows outstanding math and science teachers to be recognized for their subject/content knowledge and their ability to motivate students.

Each year the program recognizes outstanding mathematics and science teachers from across the United States and four U.S. jurisdictions for their contributions in the classroom and to their profession. In addition to honoring individual achievement, the goal of the program is to expand and exemplify the definition of excellent science and mathematics teaching.

Winners receive a $10,000 award from the NSF to be used at their discretion. They also receive an expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. for an awards ceremony and several days of educational and celebratory events, including visits with members of Congress and science agency leaders.

Additional teachers named as finalist this year from North Carolina included: Julie Felix, secondary mathematics at Harris Road Middle School in Concord; Gail Barkes, secondary science at Panther Creek High School in Cary; Ramona Hedrick, secondary science at East Mecklenburg High School in Charlotte; and Cameron Swallow, secondary mathematics at Davidson IB Middle School in Davidson.

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STEM News is generated through a collaborative effort between the NC STEM Learning Network and WRAL Tech Wire. To submit story ideas, please email WTW Editor Rick Smith rsmith@wral.com or Noah Garrett noah@thinkngc.com.) Read more articles…

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