Two Wisconsin teachers, Debra Heitman and Sheila Kohl, have been named finalists for the prestigious Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. This national award recognizes K-12 teachers in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and/or computer science from across the country.
The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction announced that six math and science teachers from the state are finalists for this prestigious award. These teachers include Debra Heitman, a fifth-grade math teacher at Coleman Elementary School in the Coleman School District, and Sheila Kohl, a fifth-sixth grade STEM teacher at West De Pere Intermediate School in the School District of West De Pere. Other finalists from Wisconsin include Jacquelynn Bazylewicz, Melissa Sperle, Mary Ellen Kanthack, and Rhonda Veroeven who teach mathematics and science in different school districts across the state.
The finalists from Wisconsin will now have their applications judged at the national level by a committee organized by the National Science Foundation. This foundation administers PAEMST on behalf of The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. One awardee in mathematics and one awardee in science will receive a $10,000 award along with professional development opportunities and will be honored at an award ceremony in Washington D.C. This recognition highlights the dedication and excellence of these teachers in the field of mathematics and science education.
The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching have been presented annually since 1983 to recognize outstanding K-12 teachers in science, technology, engineering, mathematics or computer science from across the nation. Each state establishes committees to select finalists based on criteria required by the national PAEMST program.
The program aims to celebrate exceptional teaching practices that inspire students to pursue careers in STEM fields while also highlighting best practices that can be replicated by other educators. The PAEMST program is overseen by The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy through its partnership with various government agencies such as NASA’s Minority University Research Education Project (MUREP) which supports minority serving institutions (MSIs), National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) Minority University Research Education Project (MUREP) which supports MSIs focused on STEM education
