On June 11, 2012, President Obama released a statement announcing the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching (PAEMST) for 2011: http://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-and-releases?page=9
7-12 Teachers selected in Odd Years (2011)
Mississippi Math Teacher: Jennifer Wilson - NW Rankin High School
Mississippi Science Teacher: Lucy (Kathy) McKone - Enterprise Attendance Center, Brookhaven
To nominate a teacher: https://www.paemst.org/
• In 2012, PAEMST will recognize the winners of the 2011 competition—97 secondary mathematics and science teachers.
• Of the 97 selected, there are 46 mathematics teachers and 51 science teachers, representing 49 states and four U.S. jurisdictions. The jurisdictions are Washington, D.C.; Puerto Rico; Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools; and the U.S. territories as a group (American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands).
• Teachers are either nominated by students, parents, colleagues, supervisors, or they may apply directly. Each teacher completes an online application that includes a written narrative and a video recording of their class in action that demonstrate teaching excellence.
• Applications are reviewed at state and national levels by selection committees of outstanding scientists, mathematicians, education researchers, school and district administrators, and educators. Recommendations are sent to the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) for final selection.
• Awardees receive a certificate signed by the President of the United States, a trip for two to Washington, D.C., to attend a series of recognition events and professional development opportunities, and a $10,000 award from NSF.
MY TRIP: Kevin and I flew from Jackson, MS, to DC on Tuesday (June 26, 2012).
Haley and Noah joined us Wednesday night (June 27th).
Noah McKone in front of the Willard.
The awardees stayed four nights at the Willard Intercontinental Hotel which is only one block from the White House. Martin Luther King wrote his "I Have A Dream" speech at this hotel.
Standing at the park across the street from the Willard.
Wednesday night (June 27, 2012) - We walked to the Decatur House on Lafayette Square for the welcome dinner from 6:00 - 9:00 pm. Introductory remarks were made by Dr. Cora B. Marrett (Deputy Director, NSF) and the keynote speaker was Sam Kass (White House Assistant Chef and Senior Policy Advisor for Healthy Food Initiatives).
View of the Capitol from the street corner at the Willard.
Representative Gregg Harper welcomed us on Thursday afternoon (1 pm). He took us on a personal tour of the capitol and shared interesting stories of its history. He did a GREAT JOB! Jennifer Wilson's family was also with us on the tour.
Representative Gregg Harper shares history of Jefferson Davis statue in the nation's Capitol.
Thursday (June 28th) - As we walked from the Cannon Building (Harper's office) to the Dirksen Bldg (Cochran's office), we noticed the large number of news media in front of the Supreme Court Building. We later learned it was because the Supreme Court upheld Obama Care (5-4).
Haley, Noah, Senator Thad Cochran, Kathy and Kevin McKone
Thursday (June 28, 2012) - After the Awards Ceremony, we took this picture in the lobby of the Willard.
Friday (June 29, 2012) - Noah and Haley enjoyed spending the day sight-seeing with Kirby Posey while I was at the White House. Kirby, originally from Lincoln County, works at the Census Bureau.
Friday (June 29th) - We toured the White House and were later escorted to the Eisenhower Old Executive Building next door. Dr. James Gates, Jr. shared the importance of STEM. President Obama was not present because he had flown to Colorado to visit with fire victims. The Vice-President and Dr. Jill Biden greeted awardees in his absence.
