Round Rock teacher named Presidential Award finalist

Joy Killough, a biology teacher at Westwood High School in Round Rock ISD, is a finalist for the prestigious Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) program. The 2011 PAEMST program recognizes seventh through twelfth-grade mathematics and science teachers whose innovative methods bring teaching to life in the classroom.

PAEMST is the highest recognition that a mathematics or science teacher may receive for exemplary teaching in the United States. The National Science Foundation administers PAEMST on behalf of The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. To achieve recognition through this program, a teacher first must be nominated for the award. A state panel of master teachers, specialists and administrators reviews the applications and chooses the most outstanding mathematics and science teachers for the National Science Foundation to consider for state finalist status. These state finalists will be recognized by the State Board of Education.

After the initial selection process at the state level, a panel of distinguished scientists, mathematicians, and educators may select one mathematics and one science teacher from each state and U.S. jurisdiction for the national award. National winners receive $10,000, an all expense paid trip for two to Washington, D.C. to attend recognition events and professional development opportunities, and a citation signed by the President of the United States.

Next year, outstanding mathematics and science educators teaching in Kindergarten through grade 6 with five years or more of teaching experience are eligible. For more information, please visit http://www.paemst.org.