For immediate release
June 8, 2011
State finalists for math and science teaching excellence awards named
TOPEKA—The 2011 state finalists for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching were named during a ceremony Tuesday, June 7, 2011, at the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center in Hutchinson. The 2011 state finalists for mathematics are Jerold Harris, Hays High School, Hays; Vincent LaVergne, Shawnee Mission South High School, Shawnee Mission; Angela Miller, Eisenhower Middle School, Manhattan-Ogden. The 2011 state finalists for science are Stacie Borjon, Shawnee Heights High School, Shawnee Heights; Dennis Burkett, Olathe South High School, Olathe; Jeanna Scheve, Anderson County Jr/Sr High School, Garnett.
The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching are the nation's highest honor for mathematics and science teaching. They are presented to educators who show a high degree of knowledge, innovation, skill and leadership. Elementary and secondary educators are recognized in alternating years. This year, secondary educators are being recognized. Kansas had eight mathematics nominees and seven science nominees (a list of all nominees is attached). Each of the finalists received a $500 award and will go on to compete for a national finalist title. Two educators from each state, one in the area of mathematics and one in science, may be named national finalists next spring. Each of the national finalists will receive an award of $10,000.
The awards ceremony was just part of a two-day conference open to the nominees and other members of the Kansas Exemplary Educators Network (KEEN). The conference, which took place June 6 and 7 at the Kansas Cosmosphere & Space Center, included presentations from leading Kansas educators and the Kansas Cosmosphere.
The two-day conference was sponsored by Westar Energy, Wolf Creek Nuclear Operating Corporation, the Kansas Cosmosphere & Space Center, and the Kansas State Department of Education.
2011 Kansas Nominees for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching
Roger Alderman, Mathematics
Wabaunsee High School
Larry Andersen, Principal
Mill Creek Valley USD 329
Phil Mahan, Superintendent
Stacie Borjon, Science
Shawnee Heights High School
Alan Beam, Principal
Shawnee Heights USD 450
Martin Stessman, Superintendent
Dennis Burkett, Science
Olathe South High School
Phil Clark, Principal
Olathe USD 233
Marlin Berry, Superintendent
Pam Fallis, Science
Chaparral High School
Sandra Nichols, Principal
Anthony-Harper USD 361
Keith Custer, Superintendent
Lori Gunzelman, Mathematics
Andover Central Middle School
Doug Baber, Principal
Andover USD 385
Mark Evans, Superintendent
Jerold Harris, Mathematics
Hays High School
Michael Hester, Principal
Hays USD 489
Will Roth, Superintendent
Vincent LaVergne, Mathematics
Shawnee Mission South High School
Joe Gilhaus, Principal
Shawnee Mission USD 512
Gene Johnson, Superintendent
Angela Miller, Mathematics
Eisenhower Middle School
Greg Hoyt, Principal
Manhattan-Ogden USD 383
Bob Shannon, Superintendent
DeAnn Nelson, Mathematics
Truesdell Middle School
Jennifer Sinclair, Principal
Wichita USD 259
Dr. John Allison, Superintendent
Pesha Ptacek, Science
Southeast of Saline High School
Monte Couchman, Principal
Southeast of Saline USD 306
Justin Henry, Superintendent
Kimberly Ring, Science
Eureka Jr/Sr High School
Bret Howard, Principal
Eureka USD 389
Randy Corns, Superintendent
Jeanna Scheve, Science
Anderson County Jr/Sr High School
Kenny Kellstadt, Principal
Garnett USD 365
Don Blome, Superintendent
Poonam Sharma, Mathematics
Eisenhower Middle School
Freda Ogburn, Principal
Kansas City USD 500
Cynthia Lane, Superintendent
Scott Sharp, Science
De Soto High School
David Morford, Principal
De Soto USD 232
Doug Sumner, Superintendent
Gary Stuchlik, Mathematics
Marion High School
Brenda Odgers, Principal
Marion-Florence USD 408
Lee Leiker, Superintendent
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