Karla Denny, Director of Communications, 785-296-4876
June 5, 2008
For Immediate Release
State finalists for math and science teaching excellence awards named
TOPEKA—The 2008 state finalists for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching were named during a ceremony Tuesday, June 3, 2008, at the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center in Hutchinson. The 2008 state finalists for mathematics include Sherry Helus, West Elementary School, Wamego, Stacey Ryan, Andover Middle School, Andover and Amanda Walls, Park Elementary School, Derby. The 2008 state finalist for science is DeAnn Swofford, Pioneer Ridge Middle School, Gardner.
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 were being recognized. Kansas had 9 mathematics nominees and 5 science nominees (a list of all nominees is attached). Each of the finalists received 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 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 2 and 3 at the Kansas Cosmosphere & Space Center, included presentations from leading Kansas educators, the Great Plains Center for National Teacher Certification, NASA, Westar Energy, Kansas State University, 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.
Nominees for the 2008 Kansas Nominees for the
Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching
Jane Allison, Mathematics
Oswego Neosho Heights Elementary School
Charlotte Hofer, Principal
Oswego, USD 504
Terry Karlin, Superintendent
Sherry Helus, Mathematics
West Elementary School
Amy Flinn, Principal
Wamego, USD 320
Doug Conwell, Superintendent
Amy Hillman, Science
Washington Elementary School
Christi Gottschalk, Principal
Olathe, USD 233
Dr. Patricia All, Superintendent
Dee Jones, Mathematics
Pierceville-Plymell Elementary School
Martha Darter, Principal
Garden City, USD 457
Dr. Richard Atha, Superintendent
Karen Love, Science
Sunflower Elementary School
Dennis Way, Principal
Shawnee Mission, USD 512
Dr. Marjorie Kaplan, Superintendent
Connor Morris, Mathematics
Sunflower Elementary School
Dennis Way, Principal
Shawnee Mission, USD 512
Dr. Marjorie Kaplan, Superintendent
Stacey Ryan, Mathematics
Andover Middle School
Brett White, Principal
Andover, USD 385
Mark Evans, Superintendent
Teresa Schulze, Science
Eisenhower Elementary School
Corey Roy, Principal
Norton Community Schools, USD 211
Greg Mann, Superintendent
Marvlyn Soeken, Mathematics
Lyons Park Elementary School
Nancy Barlow, Principal
Lyons, USD 405
Darrel Kellerman, Superintendent
Dena Steen, Mathematics
Washington Elementary School
Christi Gottschalk, Principal
Olathe, USD 233
Dr. Patricia All, Superintendent
Marianne Steen, Mathematics
Washington Elementary School
Lorraine Walker, Principal
Geary County Schools, USD 475
Ronald Walker, Superintendent
DeAnn Swofford, Science
Pioneer Ridge Middle School
Tim Brady, Principal
Gardner Edgerton, USD 231
Dr. Bill Gillhaus, Superintendent
Joyce Troyer, Science
Riley County Grade School
Teresa Grant, Principal
Riley County, USD 378
Brad Starnes, Superintendent
Amanda Walls, Mathematics
Park Hill Elementary School
Maretta Unruh, Principal
Derby, USD 260
Craig Wilford, Superintendent