WASHINGTON, DC –The Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) announced today the District of Columbia finalists for the 2013 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). The awards, administered by the National Science Foundation (NSF) on behalf of The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, grant the nation’s highest honor to secondary teachers for bringing innovation and inspiration to their classrooms and communities.

“OSSE congratulates the District’s finalists for their admirable achievements in teaching math and science,” said Interim State Superintendent Emily Durso. “Their dedication and commitment to enhancing STEM education for our students makes them worthy candidates for this prestigious award.”

The 2013 District finalists are:

• Florentia Spires, 7th and 8th grade science teacher at Howard University Middle School of Mathematics and Science Public Charter School
• Elyse Lerum, 7th grade science teacher at Alice Deal Middle School
• Amador Jomuad, 9th and 10th grade geometry teacher at Benjamin Banneker Senior High School
• Aris Pangilinan, 10th and 11th grade math teacher at Cardozo Education Campus

Applicants for the award were judged based on a complete demonstration of outstanding teaching. Awardees, who had to have at least five years of full-time K-12 math or science teaching experience prior to the 2012-13 school year, submitted résumés, letters of recommendation, written responses, supplemental materials, a teacher information form, and video responses.

DC’s 2013 finalists are currently being considered for the national award package that includes a certificate signed by President Barack Obama, a $10,000 award from NSF, invitations to recognition events in the District, and discussions with policy-makers on how to improve mathematics and science education.