For immediate release:
June 5, 2012
Kathy Toelkes, Director of Communications, 785-296-4876
State finalists for math and science teaching excellence awards named
TOPEKA—The 2012 state finalists for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching were named during a ceremony Tuesday, June 5, 2012, at the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center in Hutchinson. The 2012 state finalists for mathematics are Laura Hurla, Berryton Elementary School, Shawnee Heights USD 450; Nancy Shreve, Central Elementary School, Wamego USD 320; and Cathy Wilber West Elementary School, Wamego USD 320. The finalists for science are David Clark Jr., Wilbur Middle School, Wichita USD 259; Lindsey Constance, Bluejacket-Flint Elementary School, Shawnee Mission USD 512; and Brandi Leggett, Prairie Ridge Elementary School, De Soto USD 232.
The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching are the nation's highest honor for mathematics and science teaching. They are presented to educators who show a high degree of knowledge, innovation, skill and leadership. Elementary and secondary educators are recognized in alternating years. This year, elementary educators are being recognized. Kansas had 13 mathematics nominees and 11 science nominees (a list of all nominees is attached). Each of the state finalists receives a $500 award and will go on to compete for a national finalist title. Two educators from each state, one in the area of mathematics and one in science, may be named national finalists next spring. Each of the national finalists will receive an award of $10,000.
The state awards ceremony was just part of a two-day conference open to the nominees and other members of the Kansas Exemplary Educators Network (KEEN). The conference, which took place June 4 and 5 at the Kansas Cosmosphere & Space Center, included presentations from leading Kansas educators and the Kansas Cosmosphere.
The two-day conference was sponsored by Westar Energy, Wolf Creek Nuclear Operating Corporation, the Kansas Cosmosphere & Space Center, and the Kansas State Department of Education.
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2012 Kansas Nominees for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching
MATHEMATICS
Catherine Granell
Stanley Elementary School
Maggie Evans, Principal
Wichita USD 259
John Allison, Superintendent
Noda Hileman
Tonganoxie Elementary School
Tammie George, Principal
Tonganoxie USD 464
Randy Weseman, Superintendent
Laura Hurla
Berryton Elementary School
Stacey Giebler, Principal
Shawnee Heights USD 450
Martin Stessman, Superintendent
Kerri Kueser
Gardner Elementary School
Pam Tate, Principal
Gardner-Edgerton USD 231
Bill Gilhaus, Superintendent
Crystal May
Pray-Woodman Elementary School
Karen Duling, Principal
Maize USD 266
Doug Powers, Superintendent
Virginia New
Henry Leavenworth Elementary School
Stacy Graff, Principal
Leavenworth USD 453
Kelly Crane, Superintendent
JoAnn Owens
Abilene Elementary School
Mark Hoy, Principal
Valley Center USD 262
Scott Springston, Superintendent
Lucas Shivers
Bluejacket-Flint Elementary School
Linda Tinsley, Principal
Shawnee Mission USD 512
Gene Johnson, Superintendent
Nancy Shreve
Central Elementary School
Teri Dow, Principal
Wamego USD 320
Denise O’Dea, Superintendent
Lisa Stubblebine
Pioneer Trail Middle School
Michael Wolgast, Principal
Olathe USD 233
Marlin Berry, Superintendent
Cathy Wilber
West Elementary School
Amy Flinn, Principal
Wamego USD 320
Denise O’Dea, Superintendent
Christin Wise
Discovery Intermediate School
Ryan Jilka, Principal
Goddard USD 265
Justin Henry, Superintendent
John Wolters
Amanda Arnold Elementary School
Larry Liotta, Principal
Manhattan-Ogden USD 383
Dr. Robert Shannon, Superintendent
SCIENCE
David Clark, Jr.
Wilbur Middle School
Mark Jolliffe, Principal
Wichita USD 259
John Allison, Superintendent
Lindsey Constance
Bluejacket-Flint Elementary School
Linda Tinsley, Principal
Shawnee Mission USD 512
Gene Johnson, Superintendent
Amy Hillman
Santa Fe Trail Middle School
Kerry Lane, Principal
Olathe USD 233
Marlin Berry, Superintendent
Brandi Leggett
Prairie Ridge Elementary School
Michelle Hite, Principal
De Soto USD 232
Doug Sumner, Superintendent
Sandra Lewis
Irving Primary Center
Krista Hedrick, Principal
Garnett USD 365
Don Blome, Superintendent
Kristi Link
Wiley Elementary School
Cindy Cooprider, Principal
Hutchinson USD 308
Shelly Kiplinger, Superintendent
Lori Rice
West Elementary School
Amy Flinn, Principal
Wamego USD 320
Denise O’Dea, Superintendent
Windy Samuelson
Burlington Elementary School
Sharon Pruett, Principal
Burlington USD 244
Cliff Williams, Superintendent
Holly Tittel
Park Elementary School
Phillip Heeke, Principal
Great Bend USD 428
Tom Vernon, Superintendent
Patricia Zimmerman
Perry-Lecompton Middle School
Josh Woodward, Principal
Perry USD 343
Denis Yoder, Superintendent
Shirley Zwemke
Clark Davidson Elementary School
Mitzi Smith, Principal
Goddard USD 265
Justin Henry, Superintendent