Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching

Congratulations to our 2025 Wisconsin Finalists!

From Left to right: Kelsey Rider (Solon Springs School District), Erin Treder (Belleville Middle School), Stacy Lesmeister (Cedarburg High School), Jamie Lauer (Hartford Union High School), Jessica North (Waunakee Community Middle School)

Per the direction of the federal administration in July of 2025, the National Science Foundation has paused the PAEMST program and put it under review. For more information, visit the national PAEMST website .

Below is a description of the PAEMST program as it was prior to this pause. Future updates that are received by DPI will be shared here.

The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) program was established by The White House in 1983 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.