Karen is one of two New Mexico high school science teachers eligible to receive a PAEMST award, the nation’s highest honor for U.S. mathematics and science teachers in grades K–12. The awards program is administered by the National Science Foundation (NSF) on behalf of The White House. Dan Shaw, a faculty member at Bosque School is the other New Mexico finalist.
PAEMST awardees have been shown to devote more time to professional development, incorporate innovative approaches into their classroom teaching, and be more likely to use computers and other technologies in their classrooms.
“Teaching allows me to help prepare young people to meet the challenges of the future. I try to make learning relevant, challenging, and fun,” says Karen. As a state finalist, she was recognized by the New Mexico Science Teachers’ Association at its annual conference in Las Cruces on November 2.
Each year, a national committee of distinguished scientists, mathematicians, and educators recommends up to 108 teachers to receive PAEMST awards — two teachers in mathematics or science from each state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. territories as a group, and the schools operated in the United States and overseas by the Department of Defense Education Activity. Teachers who are selected as PAEMST awardees receive a $10,000 award, a Presidential certificate, and a trip to Washington, D.C. for a series of recognition events, professional development activities, and an awards ceremony.
