The 2019 state finalists for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching were named during a special ceremony Monday, June 17, at Exploration Place in Wichita.

The 2019 state finalists for mathematics are Dean Gerlach, Washburn Rural High School, Auburn-Washburn Unified School District 437, and Luke Henke, Columbus High School, Columbus USD 493.

The 2019 state finalists for science are Erica Huggard, Emporia High School, Emporia USD 253; Kelly Kluthe, Olathe West High School, Olathe USD 233; and Margaret Richard, Summit Trail Middle School, Olathe USD 233.

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, secondary educators are being recognized. Kansas had seven mathematics nominees and eight science nominees (a list of all nominees is attached). Each of the state finalists received a $500 cash award and will now 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. Each of the national finalists will receive a $10,000 award.

The awards ceremony took place in conjunction with the 2019 Kansas Excellence in Math and Science Teaching Conference, a two-day event that took place June 17-18 at Newman University in Wichita. The conference is hosted annually by the Kansas State Department of Education.

More than 220 science and math educators from across Kansas attended the conference, which featured math and science presentations and workshops delivered by leading Kansas educators.

The conference was sponsored by Westar Energy and Wolf Creek Nuclear Operating Corporation.

2019 KANSAS NOMINEES FOR PRESIDENTIAL AWARDS

FOR EXCELLENCE IN MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE TEACHING

MATHEMATICS

Ryan Darst

Shawnee Mission West High School, Shawnee Mission USD 512

Steve Loe, principal

Dr. Mike Fulton, superintendent
 

Dean Gerlach

Washburn Rural High School, Auburn-Washburn USD 437

Edward Raines, principal

Dr. Scott McWilliams, superintendent
 

Luke Henke

Columbus Unified High School, Columbus USD 493

Tim Davied, principal

Dr. Brian Smith, superintendent
 

Emily Keffer

Olathe West High School, Olathe USD 233

Jay Novacek, principal

Dr. John Allison, superintendent
 

Shawn Madill

Rossville Junior-Senior High School, Kaw Valley USD 321

Brad Anderson, principal

Kerry Lacock, superintendent
 

Shawna O’Halloran

St. Marys Junior-Senior High School, Kaw Valley USD 321

Ryan Luke, principal

Kerry Lacock, superintendent
 

Gregory Shelly

Maize South High School, Maize USD 266

David Hickerson, principal

Dr. Chad Higgins, superintendent
 

SCIENCE

Lori Coles

Meade High School, Meade USD 226

Brandon Haynes, principal

Kenneth Harshberger, superintendent
 

Chitra Harris

Wichita South High School, Wichita USD 259

Cara Ledy, principal

Dr. Alicia Thompson, superintendent
 

Stacy Harris

Susan B. Anthony Middle School, Manhattan-Ogden USD 383

Vickie Kline, principal

Dr. Marvin Wade, superintendent
 

Emma Hart-Detrixhe

Manhattan High School, Manhattan-Ogden USD 383

Greg Hoyt, principal

Dr. Marvin Wade, superintendent
 

Erica Huggard

Emporia High School, Emporia USD 253

Dr. Britton Hart, principal

Kevin Case, superintendent
 

Kelly Kluthe

Olathe West High School, Olathe USD 233

Jay Novacek, principal

Dr. John Allison, superintendent
 

Margaret Richard

Summit Trail Middle School, Olathe USD 233

Dr. Sarah Guerrero, principal

Dr. John Allison, superintendent
 

Nathaniel Straub

Augusta Middle School, Augusta USD 402

Rick Rivera, principal

Dr. John Black, superintendent