Georgia’s Most recent Awardee Amanda McGehee

YEARNAMEYEARNAMEYEARNAME 1983 Richard Bell 1993 Thomas Hall Betty Smith 2003 Janice Hudson 1984 Annie Pace 1994 Teresa Gruendl Phyllis Rumpp 2004 Vicki Jacobs 1985 Lila McGahee-Adair 1995 Barbara Cornelius Rita VanFleit 2005 Zoe Evans 1986 Beverly Lang 1996 Roger Wesley McCoy Sylvia Shore 2006 Pamela Krohne-Googe 1987 Daniela Taylor 1997 Marsha Hood Rhonda Toon 2007 Donna Governor 1988 Jeffrey Cramer 1998 Sandra Eidson Margaret Tierce 2008 Halley Page 1989 Michael Edmondson 1999 Amanda Buice Amy Denty 2009 Rachael Parr 1990 Carol Burbulis Sandra Rhoades 2000 Tina Cross Jane Moore 2010 Amanda McGehee 1991 Trissa Luftiq Catherine Robinson 2001 Steve Rich Clelia Scott 1992 Lynda Peterson Barbara Piper 2002 Terrie Kielborn Wynn Mott Georgia’s Awardees

What are the Presidential Awards?

The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) Program Our nation’s highest award for mathematics and science teachers: Identifies outstanding mathematics and science teachers for kindergarten through 12 th grade. Identifies outstanding mathematics and science teachers for kindergarten through 12 th grade. Was established in 1983 by the White House. Was established in 1983 by the White House. Is sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF). Is sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF). Includes the 50 states and 4 U. S. jurisdictions. Includes the 50 states and 4 U. S. jurisdictions. Chooses secondary- and elementary-level winners during alternating years. Chooses secondary- and elementary-level winners during alternating years.

How are PAEMST Awardees Recognized? Each state awardee receives: A special citation signed by the President of the United States. A special citation signed by the President of the United States. A $10,000 award from NSF and gifts from donors. A $10,000 award from NSF and gifts from donors. A paid trip for two to Washington, D.C., in March of the year following selection of state finalists. A paid trip for two to Washington, D.C., in March of the year following selection of state finalists. -Special recognition events -Award ceremony -Meetings with leaders in government and education -Sessions to share ideas and teaching experiences -Receptions and banquets to honor recipients

Who is Eligible to Be a Presidential Awardee? Teachers employed in any of the 50 states or 4 U. S. jurisdictions (Washington, D.C.; Puerto Rico; schools of the Department of Defense Education Activity; and U. S. territories – American Samoa, Guam, Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, and Virgin Islands) Teachers employed in any of the 50 states or 4 U. S. jurisdictions (Washington, D.C.; Puerto Rico; schools of the Department of Defense Education Activity; and U. S. territories – American Samoa, Guam, Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, and Virgin Islands) Teachers who are full-time employees of their school districts Teachers who are full-time employees of their school districts

Who is Eligible to Be a Presidential Awardee? (cont’d) In 2003, and each odd-numbered year thereafter, nominees are eligible if they are: Certified teachers who are assigned to Grades mathematics and/or science classrooms in public or private schools. Certified teachers who are assigned to Grades mathematics and/or science classrooms in public or private schools. Teachers who have at least five years of teaching experience in Grades 7-12 in mathematics and/or science prior to application. Teachers who have at least five years of teaching experience in Grades 7-12 in mathematics and/or science prior to application. Grades 7-12 teachers who are assigned, at least half-time during the school year, to classroom teaching of mathematics or science; or Grades 7- 8 teachers in self-contained classrooms. Grades 7-12 teachers who are assigned, at least half-time during the school year, to classroom teaching of mathematics or science; or Grades 7- 8 teachers in self-contained classrooms. Teachers who are not past Presidential Awardees. Teachers who are not past Presidential Awardees.

Who is Eligible to Be a Presidential Awardee? (cont’d) In 2004, and each even-numbered year thereafter, nominees are eligible if they are: Certified teachers who are assigned to Grades K- 6 mathematics and/or science classrooms in public or private schools. Certified teachers who are assigned to Grades K- 6 mathematics and/or science classrooms in public or private schools. Teachers who have at least five years of teaching experience in Grades K-6 in mathematics and/or science prior to application. Teachers who have at least five years of teaching experience in Grades K-6 in mathematics and/or science prior to application. Grades K-6 teachers who are assigned, at least half-time during the school year, to classroom teaching of mathematics or science; or Grades 7- 8 teachers in self-contained classrooms. Grades K-6 teachers who are assigned, at least half-time during the school year, to classroom teaching of mathematics or science; or Grades 7- 8 teachers in self-contained classrooms. Teachers who are not past Presidential Awardees. Teachers who are not past Presidential Awardees.

What is the Selection Process?

How are Teachers Nominated? Anyone (principals, teachers, students, parents, other members of the general public) may nominate a teacher. Anyone (principals, teachers, students, parents, other members of the general public) may nominate a teacher. Nomination forms are available on the PAEMST website ( and are submitted to the state coordinator. Nomination forms are available on the PAEMST website ( and are submitted to the state coordinator.

What Follows the Nomination? The nominee: Will be contacted by the state coordinator after the nomination. Will be contacted by the state coordinator after the nomination. Will complete the application form and video. Will complete the application form and video. Will submit online application to the state coordinator by May 1 of the application year. Will submit online application to the state coordinator by May 1 of the application year.

How are Awardees Selected? State and jurisdiction selection committees choose up to three finalists from mathematics nominations and three from science nominations. State and jurisdiction selection committees choose up to three finalists from mathematics nominations and three from science nominations. A national selection committee composed of prominent scientists, mathematicians, educators, administrators, and past awardees makes recommendations to NSF. A national selection committee composed of prominent scientists, mathematicians, educators, administrators, and past awardees makes recommendations to NSF. The national selection committee recommendations are forwarded to the White House. The national selection committee recommendations are forwarded to the White House. Potential awardees go through FBI clearance. Potential awardees go through FBI clearance. National awards are made by the President of the United States. National awards are made by the President of the United States.

What happens after you win? Opportunity to serve on State Level Panels Group presentations at NSTA conferences Possible invitations to publish articles or books Participation in exclusive Professional Organizations Funds to improve science at your school or system

What Are the Application Components?

Application Components Nomination form Nomination form Dimensions of outstanding teaching Dimensions of outstanding teaching - Video of a lesson - Written reflective comments on videotaped lesson - Understanding of Scientific Concepts & Misconceptions - Understanding of Scientific Concepts & Misconceptions - Use of Assessment to Guide Instruction - Use of Assessment to Guide Instruction Supplemental materials such as samples of student work Supplemental materials such as samples of student work Background and experience Background and experience Letter of confirmation of employment Letter of confirmation of employment Additional optional video Additional optional video

Videotaping Suggestions Practice videotaping. Use a tripod. Pan the room slowly. Capture teacher-student and student-student interactions. Make careful choices. Make sure room is not cluttered. No backlighting

Georgia Department of Education National Science Foundation Is help available for the application process? Yes! Contact the State Coordinator Juan-Carlos AguilarorAmanda Buice (404) (404) Request a mentor to give personal guidance through the process