Five educators nominated for Presidential Teaching Awards

State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster congratulated five Wisconsin elementary school teachers for their exemplary work in the classroom, as she forwarded their nominations to national competition for Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.

“We know that quality teaching is central to student academic achievement and closing the achievement gap,” Burmaster said. “This honor recognizes your dedication to exemplary teaching and serves as an inspiration for improving mathematics and science education in our elementary schools.”

The Wisconsin mathematics nominees are Barb Borgwardt, third-grade teacher at Galesville Elementary School; Claudia Pagelsdorf, fifth-grade teacher at Ben Franklin Elementary School in Franklin; and Astrid Wagner of Zablocki Elementary School in Milwaukee, who teaches in a fourth- and fifth-grade full inclusion classroom. Science nominees are Jay Farnsworth, sixth-grade teacher at Waunakee Intermediate School, and Ellen Van Pay, fifth-grade teacher at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School in Green Bay. The five were among those nominated last school year by principals, teachers, students, parents, or members of the community.

Each nominee for the program submitted a videotaped lesson, written responses to questions about their instructional practice, sample student work, and a resume of their background and experience. State-level finalists will be judged by a national committee reporting to the National Science Foundation, which will select one teacher of mathematics and one of science to receive the Presidential Awards. They will be among up to 108 recipients—representing the 50 states, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Department of Defense schools, and U.S. territories—recognized in Washington, D.C., next spring. In addition to visiting the nation’s capital, each Presidential Teaching Award recipient will receive $10,000, attend professional development sessions, and be honored in a variety of ceremonies over the course of the recognition week.

Wisconsin’s five elementary-level finalists will receive National Science Foundation State Certificates for Excellence in Teaching Mathematics and Science at an awards program and reception this fall in Madison.

The Presidential Awards for Excellence for Mathematics and Science Teaching were established in 1983 to improve the image and status of mathematics and science teaching. Only elementary school teachers (kindergarten through grade six) are recognized this year. Seventh- through 12th-grade teachers will be recognized in 2008. Information about the Presidential Awards of Excellence for Mathematics and Science Teaching program is available at http://www.paemst.org/.

Last updated on 8/21/2006