Award Programs Recognize Teacher Excellence

Know a teacher who should be recognized for excellence in and out of the classroom?

• The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching recognize elementary and secondary teachers (in alternate years) for their contributions to teaching and learning and their ability to help students make progress in mathematics and science. Ohio nominates up to six candidates (three science and three mathematics) for consideration for the national competition. This year’s competition is for elementary (grade K-6) science and mathematics teachers. Nominations are due April 1, 2012, and applications are due May 1, 2012. More information is available on the ODE PAEMST website.
• The Ohio Teacher of the Year program honors an outstanding preK-12th grade classroom who has demonstrated exceptional dedication and leadership to classroom, school, and community activities. The Ohio Teacher of the Year serves as a spokesperson for Ohio teachers, making public appearances across the state during the school year while still serving as a classroom teacher. The Ohio Teacher of the Year is invited to apply for the subsequent National Teacher of the Year competition. Applications will be available in January 2012 on the ODE OTOY website.

Nominations for Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching Due April 1

The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching are the Nation’s highest honors for teachers of mathematics and science. The Awards recognize outstanding K-12 teachers for their contributions in the classroom and to their profession.

Since 1983, more than 4,000 teachers have been recognized for their contributions to mathematics and science education. If you know great teachers, nominate them to join this prestigious network of professionals.

The deadline for nominations is April 1, 2011. The nomination form should be completed early enough to ensure that the nominated teacher is given enough time to thoroughly prepare an application that reflects exemplary teaching prior to the application deadline. Applications are due by May 2, 2011.

Nominate outstanding secondary, grades 7-12, mathematics and science teachers now for the 2011 awards. (Nominations for elementary school teachers, grades K-6, will be accepted next year.)

The following are eligibility criteria for applicants. They must:

• Teach mathematics or science at the 7-12th grade level in a public or private school.
• Hold at least a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
• Be a full-time employee of the school or school district as determined by state and district policies, and teach K-12 students at least 50% of the time.
• Have at least 5 years of full-time, K-12 mathematics or science teaching experience prior to the 2010-2011 academic school year.
• Teach in one of the 50 states or the four U.S. jurisdictions. The jurisdictions are Washington, DC; Puerto Rico; Department of Defense Schools; and the U.S. territories (American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands).
• Be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident.
• Not have received the PAEMST award at the national level in any prior competition or category.

Visit the PAEMST site for nomination forms.