Four Teachers Receive Presidential Teaching Awards
Four Wisconsin teachers received the 1997 Presidential Awards for Excellence
in Science and Mathematics Teaching and as part of the award will travel
to Washington, D.C., for conferences on science and mathematics teaching
and a ceremony at the White House.
The four were among 12 finalists from Wisconsin for the national program.
The science award recipients are:
- Karl Beighley, Southwestern Wisconsin Elementary School, Hazel
Green
- Karen Mesmer, Baraboo Junior High School.
Teachers receiving the Presidential Award in mathematics are:
- Faye Hilgart of Whitehall, Blair-Taylor Middle School, Taylor.
- Kerri Wood, River Heights Elementary School, Menomonie.
They were chosen by a national selection panel composed of exceptional
leaders in science and mathematics.
The Presidential Teaching Awards program recognizes elementary and secondary
teachers for their commitment and dedication to nurturing student interest
in science and mathematics. The program is administered by the National
Science Foundation and is considered the nation’s highest honor for
kindergarten through 12th-grade teachers.
In addition to the recognition activities at the nation’s capitol,
each state winner received a $7,500 grant to be spent at their discretion
to further math and science education in their schools or districts.
The Department of Public Instruction recognized the 12 state finalists
for the program at a ceremony in September. Other science finalists were
Jeanne Radke of Racine, Schulte Elementary School, Sturtevant; Sharon
Ryan, Rib Mountain Elementary School, Wausau; Larry Scheckel, Tomah Senior
High School; and Donald Vincent, West High School, Madison. Mathematics
finalists were Gail Alger of Kaukauna, Wilson Middle School, Appleton;
Paul Becher, Hadfield Elementary School, Waukesha; Louisa Havlik, Kegonsa
Elementary School, Stoughton; and Connie Laughlin of Muskego, Steffen
Middle School, Mequon.
Posted February 12, 1998