The Maine DOE recently honored the four state finalists for the 2013 Presidential Award in Excellence in Teaching Mathematics and Science (PAEMST) with a dinner held at the Maple Hill Farm Inn located in Hallowell. Maine DOE Science and Technology Specialist Shari Templeton and Mathematics Specialist Michele Mailhot planned the evening event honoring Robin Kennedy (Sebasticook Valley Middle School), Lisa McLellan (Windham High School) and Amy Toiano (Westbrook High School) for high school science and William O’Brien (Camden Hills Regional High School) for high school mathematics.
The PAEMST are the nation’s highest honors for teachers of mathematics and science, including computer science. Awardees serve as models for their colleagues, inspiration to their communities and leaders in the improvement of mathematics and science education.
The evening began with a social networking event where past awardees and current applicants had an opportunity to meet the four state finalists. This was followed by dinner, official congratulations from Maine DOE Coordinator for Standards and Instruction Anita Bernhardt State Board Chair and Nancy Perkins. The Department’s Educator Effectiveness Coordinator Mary Paine delivered the keynote address and remarks were made by = 2012 Presidential Awardees Beth Heidemann (Cushing Community School) and Karen Jagolinzer (Frank H. Harrison Middle School).
The main event of the evening was the presentation of the four state finalists. Jane Stork (RSU 19) spoke on behalf of Kennedy, Kelli Deveaux (Windham High School) spoke on behalf of McLellan, Rhonda Fortin (Westbrook High School) spoke on behalf of Troiano and Margo Murphy (Camden Hills Regional High School) spoke on behalf of O’Brien.
For more information about Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, please contact Maine DOE’s Mathematics Specialist Michele Mailhot at michele.mailhot@maine.gov or 207-624-6829.