The 2018 state finalists for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching were named during a special ceremony Monday, June 18, at Exploration Place in Wichita.

The 2018 state finalists for mathematics are Angela Knapp, Pray-Woodman Elementary School, Maize USD 266; Marcia Mueller, Bentley Primary School, Halstead USD 440; and Sarah Rand, Central Heights Elementary School, Central Heights USD 288. 

The 2018 state finalists for science are Monica Dreiling, Lincoln Elementary School, Hays USD 489; Betsy Lawrence, Eudora Middle School, Eudora USD 491; and Zerrin Oelze, McLean Science/Technology Magnet, Wichita USD 259.

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 12 mathematics nominees and 13 science nominees (a list of all nominees is attached). Each of the state finalists received a $500 cash 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. Each of the national finalists will receive a $10,000 award.

The awards ceremony took place in conjunction with the 2018 Kansas Excellence in Math and Science Teaching Conference, a two-day event that took place June 18-19 at Newman University in Wichita, hosted by the Kansas State Department of Education.

More than 260 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.

2018 Kansas nominees for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching

MATHEMATICS
Amber Doyle
Abe Hubert Elementary School
Garden City USD 457
Martha Darter, principal
Dr. Steve Karlin, superintendent

Todd Flory
Wheatland Elementary School
Andover USD 385
Elton Armbrister, principal
Brett White, superintendent

Katherine Gartenmayer
Nike Elementary School
Gardner Edgerton USD 231
Bruce Haber, principal
Pam Stranathan, superintendent

Christi Jones
Valley Center Intermediate School
Valley Center USD 262
Greg Lehr, principal
Dr. Cory Gibson, superintendent

Julie Keithline
Centre USD 397
Centre Schools
Susan Beeson, principal and superintendent

Laura Moore
Prairie Elementary School
Shawnee Mission USD 512
Kristen Jones, principal
Dr. Kenny Southwick, interim superintendent

Deanna Rohling
North Lawn Elementary School
Neodesha USD 461
Hannah Wright, principal
Juanita Erickson, superintendent

Molly Townsend
West Elementary School
Wamego USD 320
Amy Flinn, principal
Tim Winter, superintendent

Letha Warner
Prairie Hills Middle School
Buhler USD 313
Todd Fredrickson, principal
Dr. Mike Berblinger, superintendent

SCIENCE
Deborah Abernathy
Irving Elementary School
Winfield USD 465
Jeff Everett, principal
J.K. Campbell, superintendent

Emily Cline
Belinder Elementary School
Shawnee Mission USD 512
Steve Yoeman, principal
Dr. Kenny Southwick, interim superintendent

Pamela Cole
Amelia Earhart Elementary School
Goddard USD 265
Tracy Giddens, principal
Dr. Justin Henry, superintendent

Vanessa DeMars
Rose Hill Intermediate School
Rose Hill USD 394
Kevin Collier, principal
Randal Chickadonz, superintendent

Nicky Harris
Ottawa Middle School
Ottawa USD 290
Charles Stoltenberg, principal
Dr. Jeanne Stroh, superintendent

Kristen Jimenez
Allen Elementary School
Wichita USD 259
Molly Nespor, principal
Dr. Alicia Thompson, superintendent

Jennifer Koerner
Oak Park Carpenter Elementary School
Shawnee Mission USD 512
Jennifer Morgan, principal
Dr. Kenny Southwick, interim superintendent

Virgil Stewart
Stanton County Elementary School
Stanton County USD 452
Andrea Jones, principal
Kim Novack, superintendent

Dianne Thomann
Brookridge Elementary School
Shawnee Mission USD 512
Dr. Sue Adams, principal
Dr. Kenny Southwick, interim superintendent

Sheena Wyatt
Wiley Elementary School
Hutchinson USD 308
Alberto Carrillo, principal
Gary Price, superintendent