Karla Denny, Director, Communications and Recognition Programs, 785-296-4876
May 2, 2008
For Immediate Release
Two Kansas educators among nation’s leading math and science teachers honored by White House
Topeka—Carrie Newdigger and Steven Obenhaus of Kansas were among the 99 educators announced yesterday by the White House as recipients of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching for 2007. The teachers will be recognized in an awards ceremony as the nation’s best seventh through twelfth grade teachers.
Carrie is a science teacher at Macksville High School, USD 351 Macksville. Steven teaches mathematics at Olathe North High School, USD 233 Olathe.
Awardees are selected from mathematics and science teachers in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, with the competition alternating each year between kindergarten through sixth grade and seventh through twelfth grade teachers. After an initial selection process at the state level, a national panel of distinguished scientists, mathematicians, and educators recommend teachers to receive the Presidential Awards. The awards are administered by the National Science Foundation.
Each recipient will receive a $10,000 educational grant to be used at his or her discretion over a three-year period, and an all expense paid trip for two to Washington, D.C. to accept the certificate. The teachers are in the Nation’s capitol from April 28 – May 3, 2008, to receive the award and participate in a variety of educational and celebratory events.
The teachers met Vice President Cheney on Wednesday, April 30, and will be honored with an awards ceremony hosted by Dr. Arden Bement, Director of the National Science Foundation on Friday evening, May 2. They will meet Dorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger, a NASA astronaut and mission specialist, as well as members of Congress and the Administration to discuss the latest issues in mathematics and science teaching and share their expertise and viewpoints with their colleagues.
The award, established in 1983 by the Education for Economic Security Act, is given annually to math and science teachers across the United States who make outstanding contributions to their students and schools.
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