Wolf Administration Applauds Outstanding STEM Educators

Harrisburg, PA – State Education Secretary Pedro Rivera is applauding four Pennsylvania educators who were recently announced as the 2017 and 2018 recipients of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST).

The PAEMST is the highest honor awarded by the U. S. government to teachers for excellence in K-12 STEM or computer science education.

“Pennsylvania is a leader in STEM and computer science education and the teachers selected for the Presidential Award for Excellence exemplify the amazing professionals we have in classrooms across the state,” Rivera said. “And as Pennsylvanians we know that STEM has never been more important and that engaging students in high-quality STEM experiences prepares them for college, career and community readiness.

“The teachers we are honoring are impacting the future of our commonwealth.”

Pennsylvania’s PAEMST recipients are:

2017 Science:  Joel Crowley, Milton Hershey School, Dauphin County
2018 Science:  Janet Waldeck, Pittsburgh Allderdice High School, Allegheny County
2017 Mathematics:  Mary Brown, Central Columbia Elementary School, Columbia County
2018 Mathematics:  Steven Miller, Upper St. Clair High School, Allegheny County

The PAEMST was established by Congress in 1983 and is administered by The National Science Foundation on behalf of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. The award recognizes educators with extensive content knowledge of the subjects they teach and the ability to motivate and enable students to be successful in those areas. The president can select up to 108 educators every year for the award. STEM and computer science teachers from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Department of Defense Education Activity schools, and the U.S. territories are eligible.

Pennsylvania is a leader in STEM education, investing nearly $40 million over the past three years. In 2018, Governor Tom Wolf introduced the PAsmart initiative, a groundbreaking approach to provide skills training for jobs in high demand. Through PAsmart grants, the administration has awarded nearly $20 million to bolster STEM, computer science and career-readiness efforts and $10 million for hands-on skills training and apprenticeships.