Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching

Congratulations to our 2024 Wisconsin Finalists!

From Left to right: Rhonda Veroeven (Middleton-Cross Plains, Science), Sheila Kohl (West De Pere, Science), Mary Ellen Kanthack (Genoa City, Science), Melissa Sperle (Lancaster, Math), Debra Heitman (Coleman, Math), Jacquelynn Bazylewicz (Greenfield, Math)

Read about the national trip for the Wisconsin 2019 & 2020 Awardees. 

Where are the Wisconsin awardees nearest to you?

Visit the PAEMST Awardee Map  to easily find all of the schools at which Presidential Award recipients taught when they received their award since 1983!

Visit the national PAEMST website  to find detailed information, including:
 

• How to nominate someone for the award from August through December (though, you can also nominate yourself!);
• Background on the awards, including eligibility details;
• Who past Awardees and Finalists are from Wisconsin. 

Program Description: The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) program was established by The White House and is sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF). The program identifies outstanding mathematics and science teachers, kindergarten through 12th grade, in each state and the four U.S. jurisdictions. These teachers serve as models for their colleagues and are leaders in the improvement of science and mathematics education. Since 1983 more than 5,000 teachers have been selected as Presidential Awardees.

The competition alternates each year between teachers of grades K-6 and teachers of grades 7-12. Teachers applying for PAEMST must be nominated. Anyone (e.g., principals, teachers, students, and other members of the general public) may nominate a teacher. Self-nominations are accepted.

Each Presidential Awardee receives a certificate signed by the President of the United States and a $10,000 award from NSF. Awardees are honored at an award ceremony which takes place in Washington, D.C. Additional events may include professional development opportunities and discussions with policy makers on how to improve science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and/or computer science education.