LANSING - Four  Michigan elementary mathematics and science educators have been chosen as state finalists for the 2004 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST).

“Our Presidential Award nominees are national-scale role models for educators across our state,” said state Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Watkins.  “We are proud to have such highly accomplished teachers in  Michigan helping children discover the wonders of learning.”

“These teachers use innovative and interactive teaching methods that engage their students to develop an interest in these subjects and give them a context in which they can excel,” said State Board of Education President Kathleen N. Straus.

Michigan's nominees for the 2004 award include:

Science

Mathematics

The Michigan Department of Education received nominations for 22 science and 16 mathematics teachers.

The PAEMST program, established in 1983 by the White House, is sponsored by the National Science Foundation. Nominees this year are eligible if they are K-6 certified teachers in public or private schools; have at least five years of K-6 mathematics or science teaching experience prior to the application; and are assigned at least half-time to classroom teaching of mathematics or science; or are grade 7-8 teachers in self-contained classrooms.

A national selection panel of distinguished scientists, mathematicians, educators, administrators, and past awardees reviews the applications of the state-level finalists and makes recommendations to the National Science Foundation. These recommendations are forwarded to the White House. National awards are made by the President of the United States. The 2004 awardees will be announced in April 2005.

Recognition for Presidential Awardees includes a special citation signed by the President of the United States; a $10,000 honorarium from the National Science Foundation and gifts from donors; and a paid trip for two to Washington, DC in April to attend special recognition events.

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