Two Amarillo ISD Educators Named Finalists for Presidential Award

Posted Date: 06/03/2020

September 11, 2017— Two Amarillo ISD educators have been named finalists for the nation’s highest recognition of mathematics and science teachers, the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST).

Five state finalists in the mathematics category and five in the science category were announced today by the Texas Education Agency (TEA). Nichole Bennett will represent Amarillo ISD as a finalist in mathematics teaching and Kay Fincher will represent the District as a finalist in science teaching.

The PAEMST awards recognize seventh through twelfth-grade mathematics and science teachers whose innovative methods bring teaching to life in the classroom, according to the TEA. A state panel of master teachers, content specialists and administrators review applications and select the finalists for the National Science Foundation to consider for national award status.

“To have two educators nationally recognized as finalists for the highest honor a math or science teacher can receive, and for Amarillo ISD represented by finalists in both categories is outstanding,” said Superintendent Dr. Dana West. “ It speaks to their commitment to not only meet our vision of empowering students to be thinkers, communicators, collaborators and contributors but model those qualities as leaders in the district and in their fields.”

PAEMST Winners receive $10,000, a citation signed by the President of the United States and will attend recognition events and professional development opportunities in Washington D.C.