National Math and Science Award Finalists Announced

Three of the five educators selected as Georgia finalists for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) are Fayette County teachers.

Catherine Douthard at Cleveland Elementary is one of two teachers selected as a math finalist, and Gail Frantz and Nancy Boyle, both of Peeples Elementary, are two of three teachers selected as science finalists.

Fayette has had four teachers win the PAEMST for Georgia since 1990, all of them in K-6 mathematics. If Frantz or Boyle wins in science, they will make history for the county. Both say they are honored to have the opportunity to represent Georgia and Fayette County.

“It is an honor to be selected as a finalist for this award. Developing a love for science in my students has always been my passion, and I am grateful for the acknowledgement I have received. If chosen as the state winner, I would be proud to represent Fayette County Schools and the state of Georgia,” says Frantz.

Like Frantz, Boyle is excited about being chosen as a finalist and added, “I love to incorporate science into all areas of our curriculum. By preparing young children to think, use, and develop basic scientific vocabulary we set the stage for future scientific learning. Being scientifically literate has become more and more critical to our nation’s future work force.”

Douthard is also proud to represent Fayette in the competition and hopes to join the past mathematics recipients when the National Science Foundation announces the 2010 winners in several months. Fayette won its last K-6 mathematics award in 2001.

Each awardee receives a citation signed by the President of the United States, a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation, 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.

The 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: 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.

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Fayette County Math Teacher Earns State Award

Her passion for math, development of creative lesson plans and commitment to continued professional growth has landed one Fayette teacher state recognition.

Jane Hannon, instructional support teacher for elementary mathematics, has been awarded the Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics award at the elementary level by the Georgia Council of Teachers of Mathematics. Each year the organization gives the award to an elementary, middle and high school math teacher who demonstrates outstanding teaching abilities and a commitment to helping students better understand math.

Hannon, a 26-year veteran classroom teacher, is a member of the faculties at Fayetteville Intermediate, Hood Avenue Primary and Spring Hill Elementary where she leads discussions on instructional strategies, unit planning, examining student work and providing feedback, and analyzing data.

Hannon has led the way in the development and implementation of an acceleration model of instruction to help students master math concepts tested on the CRCT; has served as a team leader in developing unit plans, common pre and post unit tests and performance tasks for the Georgia Performance Standards K-5 mathematics curriculum; has been instrumental in assisting teachers in planning activities for math night at each of her schools; and even created a character called Num-Bee for a bi-weekly student TV show that focuses on critical math concepts.

“Jane’s lessons are interesting, filled with manipulatives, linking math to literature, and are always student centered. She consistently searches for more ways to make her lessons meaningful and authentic, to make her teaching more effective and to provide assistance to her colleagues,” says Lynn Ridgeway, coordinator of mathematics for Fayette County Schools.

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