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Weac Members Receive Presidential Honor For Excellence In Teaching

Two WEAC members have been honored with the National Science Foundation's Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.

Mount Horeb Education Association member Jeremy Kessenich and Burlington Education Association member David Kreutz accepted the awards last month during a recognition ceremony in Washington, D.C.

Kessenich is a math teacher at Mount Horeb High School. He teaches algebra, pre-calculus and a class he developed, "Cartography and Navigation." Kessenich has received a number of awards for his excellence in teaching, and became certified in 2002 by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.

Kreutz teaches chemistry, anatomy and physiology at Burlington High School. He also leads a course on chemistry research and development in which students run a chemical company. During the course, students learn to apply scientific methods to real-world projects by developing products like hand soap, shampoo and bubble bath.

Kessenich and Kreutz are among 95 secondary math and science teachers nationwide who received the Presidential Awards this year. Each recipient received $10,000 to use for the improvement of science and math education.

During their weeklong visit to Washington, D.C. in March, Kessenich and Kreutz received a presidential citation, attended an awards banquet in their honor, met with leaders in government and education, and networked with other honorees to share ideas and teaching experiences.

Founded in 1983 by the White House, the National Science Foundation sponsors the Presidential Award program each year to identify outstanding mathematics and science teachers.

The competition alternates each year between K-6 teachers and 7-12 teachers. Nominations are being accepted until May 3, 2004, for the 2004 awards program. K-6 teachers with five years' teaching experience are eligible to apply.

For more information about the Presidential Awards and the 2004 program, visit the NSF Web site.

Posted April 14, 2004