Six Arkansas Teachers Selected as Finalists for National Awards in Math, Science Teaching
LITTLE ROCK — Six Arkansas teachers were recently selected as 2021 state finalists for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.
On behalf of The White House, the National Science Foundation oversees the program that recognizes outstanding science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) teachers who have demonstrated a commitment to professional development, innovative teaching techniques, and technology use in their classrooms.
Forty-seven Arkansas teachers were nominated, and the following educators were selected as state finalists.
Math Finalists:
- Jay Bly, DeWitt High School, DeWitt School District
- Wes Davis, Cabot High School, Cabot School District
- Diana Taylor, Rison High School, Cleveland County School District
Science Finalists:
- Patrycja Krakowiak, Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts
- Marc Reif, Fayetteville High School, Fayetteville School District
- Jeffrey Rice, Southside High School, Fort Smith School District
“I am extremely proud of these six educators for being named state finalists for this national honor,” Arkansas Department of Education Secretary Johnny Key said. “These educators represent the best of the best in their fields, and because of their excellence in the classroom, their students will be prepared for the future. Congratulations!”
A national committee of scientists, mathematicians, and educators will next review the applications and recommend up to 108 teachers to receive PAEMST awards. Winners are chosen from each state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. territories, and schools operated in the United States and overseas by the Department of Defense Education Activity. Teachers who are selected as national PAEMST awardees each receive a $10,000 award, a presidential citation, and a trip to Washington, DC, for a series of recognition events, professional development activities, and an awards ceremony.
The 2022 application cycle is now open. The deadline to apply is January 7, 2022. To learn more about the awards program, go to https://www.paemst.org.
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