TDOE announces presidential teaching award state finalists

The Tennessee Department of Education has named four state finalists for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching (PAEMST), the nation’s highest honor for U.S. K–12 science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and/or computer science teachers.

According to a news release last week, awardees were recognized for their contributions to teaching and learning, as well as their work educating students in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields like computer science. This year’s finalists are Cathy Cambron, a math teacher at Hickman Elementary School; Kelly Carey, a science instructor at Tusculum Elementary School; Lauren Fluharty, a math teacher at Discovery School in Murfreesboro; and Deborah Shuler, a science teacher at Poplar Grove Middle School.

“These finalists embody the most incredible STEM teachers across the state and the nation,” Lizzette Reynolds, Tennessee’s commissioner of education, said in a public statement. “I commend these educators for their valuable commitment to providing exceptional math and science learning and teaching to prepare students for future success.”

The announcement said that each state finalist will soon move on to national selection, where a committee of mathematicians, scientists, education researchers, district level personnel and classroom teachers will pick one math and science teacher from each state.

Teachers selected as PAEMST awardees will then receive a trip to Washington, D.C. to attend recognition events and professional development opportunities. In addition, the announcement said, they will receive a $10,000 award.