December 19, 2002

SDE Seeks Nominations for 2003 Presidential Awards For Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching

(Santa Fe, NM)-The New Mexico State Department of Education (SDE) is seeking nominations of teachers of grades 7-12 mathematics and science for the 2003 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. Teachers must be nominated for the award by principals, teachers, students, parents or the general public. Nominations for 7-12 teachers will be accepted through January 31, 2003. In 2004, teachers of grades K-6 will be eligible to apply.

"These teachers will serve as models for their colleagues and will be leaders in the improvement of mathematics and science education," said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Michael J. Davis.

The awards program was established in 1983 by the White House and is sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to identify outstanding mathematics and science teachers in each state and the four U.S. jurisdictions.

Each Presidential Awardee will receive a $10,000 award from the NSF and gifts from donors, plus he or she will be invited to attend recognition events in Washington, D.C., in March 2004.

Nominees will be invited to attend a workshop sponsored by the SDE on February 11, 2003, to help them with the application process.

A person may nominate a teacher for the award by filling out the nomination form available at www.nsf.gov/pa. The form should be submitted to Claudia Ahlstrom, New Mexico State Department of Education, Education Building, 300 Don Gaspar, Room 206, Santa Fe, NM 87501. A copy will be forwarded by the SDE to the nominee.

For additional information, please contact Claudia Ahlstrom at (505) 827-8489 or by e-mail at cahlstrom@ped.state.nm.us.