Mathematics

Obama Recognizes Outstanding K-6 STEM Teachers

By Francesca Duffy — April 28, 2011 1 min read
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The White House just announced the names of 85 kindergarten through 6th grade teachers who will receive the 2010 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, which is awarded each year to outstanding science and mathematics teachers throughout the nation. The award alternates between being given to kindergarten through 6th grade and 7th-12th grade teachers. This year’s primary and middle school winners were first selected by their states, and from there chosen by a panel of distinguished scientists, mathematicians, and educators. The recipients, as named by President Obama, will receive a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation, an expense-paid trip to the nation’s capitol for the awards ceremony later this year, and several days full of events and visits with members of Congress and the administration.

In January’s State of the Union Speech, the president announced a push to prepare 100,000 new science, technology, engineering, and math educators over the next 10 years.

UPDATE 5/17/11: This year, 21 fewer teachers will receive the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching because of a shortfall of applicants. The program is designed to honor 106 teachers. State coordinators said the lack of applicants may be due in part to the rigorous application process.

A version of this news article first appeared in the Teaching Now blog.