According to a news release from the National Science Foundation (NSF), earlier this week 97 seventh to twelfth grade math and science teachers from all over the United States were selected to receive top honors from President Obama for their outstanding work in the classroom.
The school teachers were named on Monday of this week for the prestigious Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. The awards presentation for those selected will be presented at a ceremony scheduled for later in the month to take place in the nation’s capital.
The national annual award goes top K-12 teachers in the science and mathematics arena selected by a panel of distinguished scientists, mathematicians, and educators. Those selected by the national panel are finalists put forth by each state. While the annual award alternates between teachers teaching kindergarten through 6th grade and those teaching 7th through 12th grades the award this year was based on 7th through 12th grade teachers.
From the NSF, each winner will also receive a cash prize of $10,000 in addition to their awards ceremony and several days of educational and celebratory events which include visits with members of Congress and the Obama administration.
“America’s success in the 21st century depends on our ability to educate our children, give our workers the skills they need, and embrace technological change. That starts with the men and women in front of our classrooms. These teachers are the best of the best, and they stand as excellent examples of the kind of leadership we need in order to train the next generation of innovators and help this country get ahead,” said President Obama
The award and recognition of teachers like this is in line with President Obama’s commitment to improve science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and prepare 100,000 effective science and mathematics teachers over the next decade.
A complete list of the winners of the 2011 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, listed by state are can be viewed online at the NSF web site here.
Source: National Science Foundation