Presidential Awards for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching

1. Presidential Awards for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching PAEMST 2011

2. What Are the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching? • (PAEMST) is the highest recognition that a kindergarten through 12th-grade mathematics or science teacher may receive for outstanding teaching in the United States. • The National Science Foundation administers PAEMST

3. What Are the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching? • Awards are given to mathematics and science teachers from each of the 50 states and four U.S. jurisdictions. • The teachers are recognized for their contributions to teaching and learning and their ability to help students make progress in mathematics and science.

4. What Are the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching? • Awardees serve as models for their colleagues, inspiration to their communities, and leaders in the improvement of mathematics and science education.

5. Why Apply? Recipients of the award receive the following: • A citation signed by the President of the United States • A paid trip for two to Washington, DC, to attend a series of recognition events and professional development opportunities • A $10,000 award from NSF

6. Eligibility • Teach mathematics or science at the 7th-12th grade level in a public or private school. • Hold at least a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. • Be a full-time employee of the school or school district as determined by state and district policies, and teach 7-12 students at least 50% of the time. • Have at least 5 years of full-time, K-12 mathematics or science teaching experience prior to the 2010-2011 academic school year. • Be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident. • Not have received the PAEMST award at the national level in any prior competition or category.

7. Recognition Ceremony • White House Press Release: • http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/presidential-math-and-science-teachers-award-release/ • Recognition Program Web site • Home: http://recognition.paemst.org/ • Meet the Awardees: http://recognition.paemst.org/ • Karen Ladd, 2009 Awardee: http://recognition.paemst.org/media_room/finalist_profiles/karen-ladd

8. Nomination • Teachers can be nominated by anyone (e.g., principal, teacher, student, parent, self) • Nominations are made online at the PAEMST Web site: www.paemst.org

9. How Are Awardees Selected? • Each application will be evaluated using the following five Dimensions of Outstanding Teaching: • Mastery of mathematics or science content knowledge appropriate for the grade level taught • Use of instructional methods and strategies that are appropriate for the students in the classroom and that support student learning • Effective use of assessment strategies to evaluate, monitor, and improve student learning • Reflective practice and lifelong learning to improve teaching and student learning • Leadership in education outside the classroom

10. Selection Review Process • At the state level, a local selection committee meets, which may include, scientists, science educators, and past awardees. The committee selects up to three finalists in science for recognition at the state level. • At the national level, NSF convenes a national selection committee composed of prominent mathematicians, scientists, mathematics/science educators, and past awardees that reviews the applications of the state finalists and recommends to NSF up to one finalist in mathematics and up to one finalist in science from each state or jurisdiction. The Director of NSF then submits the recommendations to the Director of OSTP. All finalists will be subjected to an FBI background check.

11. Application Process • In 2011, only secondary (7-12) math and science teachers are eligible. The application process involves four phases: • Nomination • Completion of an application • State and national competition • FBI background check (for finalists)

12. Three Components of the Application • Administrative…………………………… • Narrative…………………. • Video…………………………

13. Administrative Component • Teacher Information Form • Must be completed using the PAEMST online form. • Employment Verification Form • Available online for download. The form must be signed and dated by a school principal or school district official • Letters of Recommendation • Three signed and dated letters of recommendation are required. One of these three letters must be from a school or school district official. • Résumé • A résumé (maximum 2 pages) is required that outlines the applicant’s education, employment history, and participation in professional development activities • Demographic Information Form • Submission is voluntary. If you do not wish to provide this information, you may click the checkbox that is labeled “Check here if you do not wish to provide the below information.”

14. Narrative Component • Two parts: • Written response - Responding to the Dimensions Select a science topic or concept that is: • likely to elicit a high level of engagement and enthusiasm from students • aligned to state and national science standards • will move students to investigate further to satisfy their need to know more. • Supplemental Materials – 10 additional pages • lesson plans • samples of student work • assessment items • publications • citations or references for any research articles or materials discussed in the narrative section • supporting evidence for the narrative responses

15. Dimensions of the Core Component • Dimension One: Mastery of mathematics or science content appropriate for the grade level taught. (about 4 pages) • Dimension Two: Use of instructional methods and strategies that are appropriate for the students in the class and that support student learning. (about 4 pages)

16. Dimensions of the Core Component • Dimension Three: Effective use of student assessments to evaluate, monitor, and improve student learning. (about 3 pages) • Dimension Four: Reflective practice and life-long learning to improve teaching and student learning. (about 2 pages) • Dimension Five: Leadership in education outside the classroom. (about 2 pages)

17. Formatting • The Dimensions of Outstanding Teaching narrative and supplemental materials must have continuous pagination and should include a “footer” with the applicant’s name and Teacher ID. • The electronic files containing the narrative must be formatted as follows: • 8.5 by 11-inch page dimensions • 12-point font • Double-spaced • At least 1-inch margins all around • All narrative components must be uploaded within the online PAEMST application located at http://www.paemst.org. Only the following compatible file types will be accepted: • Adobe Portable Document Format (.pdf) • Microsoft Word (.doc) • Rich Text Files (.rtf) • Image Files (.gif, .jpeg, .jpg, .png)

18. Video Component • Requirements: • The video must be of a single class, lesson or experience (e.g. field trip) during the 2010-2011school year • The video must correspond to the important topic or concept chosen and discussed in Dimension One. • Whenever the video is referenced in the narrative responses, a specific counter reference (minutes and seconds elapsed) should be provided. • The video must be continuous footage, unedited and devoid of any stopping and restarting of the camera. • The video must not exceed 45 minutes or one class period, whichever is shorter. If a video is longer than 45 minutes, reviewers will be instructed to stop looking at the video at the 45-minute mark. • No other supplementary video materials can be submitted.

19. Video Component • State and national selection committees will use the video to observe teacher and student behavior, responses, and interactions. • The video should focus not only on the teacher, but also on the students. • The video must be of sufficient quality so that students’ faces are visible and voices are audible. • The video must adhere to all district or school requirements and guidelines for parental release or student permission related to classroom videotaping.

20. Video Component • As it relates to the Dimensions of Outstanding Teaching, the video may convey the applicant’s: • depth of content knowledge as demonstrated by the clarity, precision and appropriateness of the explanations provided. • ability to engage all students and maintain their interest in the lesson or activity as demonstrated by their asking and answering questions, giving demonstrations, or participating in discussions or small group work. • ability to employ appropriate instructional methods, which may include the use of lecture, instructional technology, demonstrations, hands-on activities, and group assignments.

21. Arkansas is Piloting Video Upload

22. The PAEMST can be a platform to launch leadership opportunities • “Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.” --John F. Kennedy • “Good leaders develop through a never-ending process of self-study, education, training, and experience.” --Manual on Military Leadership

23. Scoring • Each dimension will be rated using a four-point scale and multiplied by a weighting factor. The sum of all of the weighted Dimension scores is the final score. • The four-point scale is as follows: • Excellent (4): The applicant demonstrated outstanding knowledge, skills, or performance in this dimension with no significant errors or limitations. • Very Good (3): The applicant demonstrated strong skills, knowledge, or performance in this dimension with no significant errors or limitations. • Good (2): The applicant demonstrated limited evidence of knowledge, skills, or performance in this dimension, or there were errors or weaknesses. • Fair (1): The applicant demonstrated limited evidence of knowledge or skills in this dimension, and there were significant errors or weaknesses.

24. Maximum possible score for each Dimension: • Dimension One Weighting factor 7 -- 4 x 7 = 28 points • Dimension Two Weighting factor 7 -- 4 x 7 = 28 points • Dimension Three Weighting factor 7 -- 4 x 7 = 28 points • Dimension Four Weighting factor 2 -- 4 x 2 = 8 points • Dimension Five Weighting factor 2 -- 4 x 2 = 8 points ___________________________________________________ • Maximum possible total score 100 points

25. “I felt empowered to give more of my energy to leadership and to service for others in my profession and I felt the responsibility to do so. To me, the true gift of PAEMST is the confidence and affirmation it afforded me to become more than I ever dreamed I could be and contribute more to others than I knew I had to give.” --Sue Eddins, Illinois 1989

26. “Perhaps the main reason I would encourage someone to become a Presidential Awardee (and to keep trying) is that having your name on this list keeps you in contact with other excellent teachers. Many companies keep writing me to see if I will evaluate their products (which they give me free) because they use the list of awardees. I have been asked to serve as a consultant on several projects as a result of the Presidential Award. Each year at the national convention, numerous companies have given awardees gifts. All these gifts have a direct effect on my classroom and my students’ learning as they are able to have the best technology and materials.” Deborah Britt, North Carolina 2002

27. PAEMST provides ways to highlight the quality of your school or district • NSF provides press release • Your school is recognized as a place of excellence • Many schools have multiple awardees – excellence supports excellence

28. The application process is a path to professional growth “Anyone who recognizes the importance of reflection would agree that going through the application process is beneficial. Yes, there may be disappointment, but continuing on the path of reflection is enriching.” Jean Howard, Montana 1994

29. The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.” --William Arthur Ward

30. For More Information Cathy Mackey Arkansas Dept. of Education Four Capitol Mall, Room 105A Little Rock, AR 72201 501-682-5303 catherine.mackey@arkansas.gov