What Are the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching?
The Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) is the highest recognition that a kindergarten through 12th-grade mathematics or science teacher may receive for outstanding teaching in the United States. Enacted by Congress in 1983, this program authorizes the President to bestow up to 108 awards each year. The National Science Foundation administers PAEMST on behalf of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.
Awards are given to mathematics and science teachers from each of the 50 states and four U.S. jurisdictions. The jurisdictions are Washington, D.C.; Puerto Rico; Department of Defense Schools; and the U.S. territories as a group (American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands). The teachers are recognized for their contributions to teaching and learning and their ability to help students make progress in mathematics and science.
In addition to honoring individual achievement, the goal of the award program is to exemplify the highest standards of mathematics and science teaching. Awardees serve as models for their colleagues, inspiration to their communities, and leaders in the improvement of mathematics and science education.
Why Apply?
Recipients of the award receive the following:
• A citation signed by the President of the United States.
• A paid trip for two to Washington, D.C., to attend a series of recognition events and professional development opportunities.
• A $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation.
In addition to recognizing outstanding teaching in mathematics or science, the program provides teachers with an opportunity to build lasting partnerships with colleagues across the nation. This growing network of award-winning teachers serves as a vital resource for improving science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education and keeping America globally competitive.
Who Is Eligible?
Awards alternate between elementary and secondary teachers, as shown below.
| Application
Opens |
Nomination
Deadline |
Application
Deadline |
|
| Secondary Teachers (7-12) | Fall 2010 | 04/01/2011 | 05/02/2011 |
| Elementary Teachers (K-6) | Fall 2011 | 04/02/2012 | 05/01/2012 |
The following are eligibility criteria for nominees. They must:
• Teach mathematics or science at the 7-12th grade level (2011 deadline) or K-6th grade level (2012 deadline) in a public or private school.
• Hold at least a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
• Be a full-time employee of the school or school district as determined by state and district policies, and teach K-12 students at least 50% of the time.
• Have at least 5 years of full-time, K-12 mathematics or science teaching experience prior to the 2010-2011 academic school year (2011 deadline) or prior to the 2011-2012 academic school year (2012 deadline).
• Teach in one of the 50 states or the four U.S. jurisdictions. The jurisdictions are Washington, DC; Puerto Rico; Department of Defense Schools; and the U.S. territories (American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands).
• Be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident.
Not have received the PAEMST award at the national level in any prior competition or category.
Nomination
Anyone—principals, teachers, parents, students, or members of the general public—may nominate exceptional Math or Science teachers teaching in grades 7-12 for the 2011 Award Year. Nominations for teachers teaching in grades K-6 will be accepted next year. Teachers may also register themselves to begin an application.
» Nominate a teacher » Register to begin an application
Once a teacher is nominated or registers, the teacher will receive an email invitation to continue the application process. The invitation will include a user name and password for accessing the online application system.
Application
The application consists of three components: Administrative, Narrative, and Video. The components allow the applicant to provide evidence of deep content knowledge and exemplary pedagogical skills that result in improved student learning. Each application will be evaluated using the following five Dimensions of Outstanding Teaching:
• Mastery of Mathematics or Science Content Appropriate for the Grade Level Taught.
• Use of Instructional Methods and Strategies that are Appropriate for Students in the Class and that Support Student Learning.
• Effective Use of Student Assessments to Evaluate, Monitor, and Improve Student Learning.
• Reflective Practice and Life-long Learning to Improve Teaching and Student Learning.
• Leadership in Education Outside the Classroom.
For complete details, please review the 2010–2011 Application Packet (Adobe PDF). If needed, download a free copy of Acrobat Reader for PDF files.
» Login to the application system.
Selection
All applications will be subjected to the following review process:
• At the State level, coordinators convene local selection committees, which include prominent mathematicians, scientists, mathematics/science educators, and past awardees. These committees select up to three finalists from each category (mathematics or science) for recognition at the State level. To ensure consistency across the country, all State selection committees will score their applications using the review criteria and scoring information presented in the 2010–2011 Application Packet.
• At the national level, NSF convenes a national selection committee composed of prominent mathematicians, scientists, mathematics/science educators, and past awardees that reviews the applications of the state finalists and recommends to NSF up to one finalist in mathematics and up to one finalist in science from each state or jurisdiction. The Director of NSF then submits the recommendations to the President of the United States. All finalists will be subjected to an FBI background check.
Recognition
PAEMST winners are honored the year following the receipt of the application.
Each awardee receives a citation signed by the President of the United States, a $10,000 award from NSF, and gifts from a broad range of donors. Awardees and their guests are honored during events that take place in Washington, DC. These events include an award ceremony, celebratory receptions, professional development programs, and discussions with policy-makers on how to improve mathematics and science education.
» Learn more about the event, and current awardees, on the Recognition Program Web site.