2021, 2022, & 2023 PAEMST  Awardees Announced!!

Established in 1983, PAEMST is the highest award kindergarten through 12^th grade mathematics and science (including computer science) teachers can receive from the U.S. government. The award alternates years between kindergarten through 6^th grade and 7^th grade through 12^th grade teachers.

Nominees complete a rigorous application process that requires them to demonstrate their excellence in content knowledge and ability to adapt to a broad range of learners and teaching environments.

A panel of distinguished mathematicians, scientists and educators at the state and national levels assess the application before recommending nominees to OSTP.  Teachers are selected based on their distinction in the classroom and dedication to improving STEM education.

2021 South Dakota Secondary Presidential Awardee

“With so many deserving teachers in my state, I am honored and truly humbled to be a recipient of the Presidential Award. The process of applying for this award has been incredibly impactful by helping me to be more reflective in my practice, while also building my perseverance and identity as a leader. I am inspired to continue on my amazing journey as an educator. I want to thank the teachers, mentors, and students who have influenced my journey, and my family for their unwavering support.”

Mark Kreie Brookings, SD | 7-12, Mathematics, 2021

Mark Kreie has been a mathematics teacher for 23 years, teaching one year at Baltic High School, three years at Newton High School, seven years at Estelline High School, and the past 12 years at Brookings High School. He currently teaches 9th-12th grade Advanced Algebra 2 and Advanced Placement Statistics. Mark has also taught Pre-Algebra, Algebra 1 Geometry, Pre-calculus, and Calculus at various points in his career.

In the classroom, Mark is passionate about helping each student build their mathematical identity. He strives to create a student-centered environment and build a positive relationship with each student. Mark believes students learn best by discovering mathematics and making connections to prior knowledge through collaboration with others.

Mark loves providing professional learning for teachers. He speaks at numerous state and regional conferences, often presenting on the significance of using digital tools to help student understanding of mathematics. Mark currently serves on the Executive Board for the South Dakota Council of Mathematics Teachers, is a Desmos Fellow, and recently finished serving a term on the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Classroom Resources Committee. He has been a virtual coach to mentees across South Dakota and has mentored six student teachers during his time at Brookings.

Mark received the 2016 Daktronics Outstanding Mathematics Teacher award and the 2019 South Dakota State University Clinical Educator of the Year award. Mark has a B.A. in mathematics from the University of Minnesota-Morris and an M.S. in curriculum and instruction from Black Hills State University.

2022 South Dakota Elementary Presidential Awardees

“I am extremely honored to be recognized at this level for teaching. I strive to provide the best for my students each day, making the classroom a place students want to be because learning is active and engaging. I am humbled that others noticed my passion for educating our future. I want to give my students the same support and encouragement to follow their dreams that I was blessed with from family, friends, and mentors in my life. I am grateful to be a teacher and work with children each day.”

Jodi Neuharth Olivet, SD | K-6, Mathematics, 2022

Jodi Neuharth, from Olivet, SD has been an educator for 17 years. She has spent the past two years teaching all subjects for second grade at Freeman Public School, but has now transitioned to teaching Junior Kindergarten and Preschool at Freeman. Previously, she taught second grade at Garretson School District for 12 years and taught reading and mathematics interventions at Baltic School District for her first two years of teaching. Jodi works to incorporate projects into her curriculum, providing hands-on activities which bring learning alive for her students. She developed and organized after-school learning events for her 2nd graders such as pioneer night at the park, using a makerspace, coding for her class, and events or speakers for the elementary school. Jodi enjoys working with teachers across her state and has participated in a statewide mentoring program for new teachers for several years. She also mentors teachers working towards their National Board Certification. Jodi is a lifelong learner and seeks out professional development opportunities to both learn and teach. She took part in the SDMath/SDScience Leadership Program. She was also a facilitator for Foundational Math, collaborating with her state's department of education and teachers from across the state to provide mathematics professional learning opportunities. She helped develop, plan, and facilitate a summer workshop that helped teachers build their capacity in understanding numbers and number relationships. Throughout the school year, she helped facilitate mathematics circles for the state to help bring mathematics educators together to engage in rich grade-level mathematics tasks and have conversations around vertical alignment to standards. Jodi earned a B.S. in elementary education and special education from Dakota State University. She is a National Board-Certified Early Childhood Generalist.

“The Presidential Award is a glowing reminder that perseverance and grit allow growth to occur. The process was rigorous, reflective, and rewarding. I strive to instill a love for learning in my students and allow them to see my passion for teaching mathematics. The incredible group of educators that I work with, the supportive administration that mentors me, and the amazing students that I get to impact are as much a part of this award as I am. The Presidential Award is an unbelievable honor.”

Rebecca Van Roekel Brandon, SD | K-6, Mathematics, 2022

Rebecca Van Roekel has been an educator for the past 20 years and has spent her last 11 years teaching sixth grade mathematics at Brandon Valley Intermediate School. She taught fifth through eighth grade mathematics and kindergarten through sixth grade Title I at Freeman Elementary School for her first nine years of teaching. Rebecca strives to create a classroom that encourages perseverance and grit. She wants students to take ownership of their learning and advocate for their success. Through engaging activities and continuous feedback, the students strive to learn from their mistakes and maintain a growth mindset. She believes that all students have the innate ability to make progress in mathematics, no matter where they are starting. Rebecca is an active member of the Brandon Valley School District as a representative of the Staff Development Team, Formative Assessment Professional Learning Community (PLC) Team Leader, School Improvement Plan Committee, and a member of the Curriculum Adoption Committee. She has been blessed to be a District Mentor Teacher and a Grade Level Team Leader. She has previously been an SD Counts teacher leader and implemented cognitively-guided instruction in her classroom. Rebecca has a B.A. in elementary education with an endorsement in reading and coaching from Northwestern College. She has an M.S. in curriculum and instruction in mathematics from Black Hills State University. She is certified in elementary education, middle school mathematics, and middle school English language arts.

2023 South Dakota Secondary Presidential Awardees

“As a teacher in a small district, it is easy to feel like I am on an island. Applying for the Presidential Award helped me realize that I have many people in my district that support and appreciate me. As a Presidential Awardee, I truly feel like I am making a difference. Knowing that there are teachers all over the country doing amazing things and getting recognized in their districts, states, and nationwide makes me feel honored to part of something bigger than just my little classroom.”

Allison Schmitz Mellette, SD | 7-12, Mathematics, 2023

Allison Schmitz, a mathematics teacher from Northwestern Area School District, has been teaching both middle and high school for nine years. Currently, she teaches 6th Grade Mathematics through Algebra 2. Allison started a STEM career and technical education program at Northwestern and teaches Robotics, Introduction to Engineering, and Computer Programming in addition to her mathematics courses. Prior to her career at Northwestern, she spent two years as a substitute teacher and two years teaching remedial mathematics courses and supervising mathematics laboratories at Northern State University. Allison works to build engagement in her classes by incorporating real-world projects into her mathematics courses, using cross-curricular activities, and utilizing group activities inside and outside the classroom walls. One of the students’ favorite activities is analyzing a crime scene using trigonometry. She has participated in the South Dakota Mathematics and Science Leadership Program and has presented sessions at the SD STEM Education Conference. She is a member of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and is the middle school liaison for the South Dakota Council of Teachers of Mathematics. Allison graduated from Northern State University in 2013 with a B.S.Ed., in honoribus summa cum laude, in mathematics and earned her M.Ed., summa cum laude, in curriculum and instruction and classroom technology from Concordia University in 2014. She is certified in secondary mathematics with endorsements in middle level mathematics, K-12 classroom technology and distance educator, STEM career cluster, and has her specialist certificate for technology integrationist and technology coordinator.

“I have been blessed to spend the past 32 years doing what I love: sharing my love of learning and science with others. The greatest moments of my day are seeing students have "Aha" moments and then sharing that excitement. Being a Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching winner is my “Aha” moment of unbridled excitement! I learned so much about my teaching and its impact during the application process; being selected is the icing on an already delicious cake.”

Kristen Gonsoir Groton, SD | 7-12, Science, 2023

Kristen Gonsoir has taught for 32 years at Groton Area High School, formerly Groton High School before district consolidation. At this small, rural school, she teaches Anatomy and Physiology, Organic Chemistry, General Chemistry, and Physics to 10th-12th grade students. She has also been an assistant Advanced Placement Chemistry teacher for the state’s eLearning center. Kristen is the secondary science department chair and is on the district’s springboard leadership team. In Anatomy and Physiology, Kristen uses a synthetic cadaver, the first of its kind in the state, for lab dissection. Her Organic Chemistry class is one of only two offered in the state providing students with a background in organic nomenclature, reactions, and their mechanisms. Global citizenship is important to Kristen. Through the Fulbright-Japan Information and Communications Technology program, her students have engaged in projects with students from Japan. As a National Education Association Foundation Global Learning Fellow, Kristen developed science lessons integrated with the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals which she and teachers from across the globe use. Kristen has served as a South Dakota Department of Education (DOE) mentor teacher and has worked to develop science standards, tools for teachers, and cut scores for state teacher tests. She is passionate about helping teachers improve their communication skills and has led many local and state professional development sessions on communication, global citizenship, and emerging technologies. Kristen earned her bachelor's degree in chemistry and master’s degree in teaching and learning from Northern State University. She is certified to teach middle and high school science, English, speech and communications, and social sciences.

Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching  https://paemst.nsf.gov/. Download award application.

2024 PAEMST Finalists Announced (4/17/24)

Michelle Stumpf

Valerie Nelson

Kinlee Stetson

Michelle Stumpf, a middle school mathematics teacher at Belle Fourche, SD, has been teaching for 18 years. She currently teaches 5 th grade. Michelle graduated from the University of South Dakota with a Bachelors degree in Elementary Education in 2003. Afterwards, she earned her Masters in Education for Technology and Training degree from the University of South Dakota in 2005. Michelle has participated in the South Dakota Mentor Teacher Program, supervised student teachers, and been recognized as Belle Fourche Middle School Teacher of the Year.

Valerie Nelson, an elementary school mathematics and science teacher at Chamberlain Elementary in Chamberlain, SD, has been teaching for 15 years. She currently teaches Kindergarten. Valerie graduated from Northern State University with a Bachelors degree in Elementary Education in 2009. She is now working toward completing a Masters in Education degree in Leadership and Administration from Northern State University. Valerie has served as Kindergarten Team Leader, has served on Chamberlain’s Language Arts Curriculum Team, and has recently been recognized as a South Dakota Regional Teacher of the Year.

Kinlee Stetson, an elementary school mathematics teacher at Corral Drive Elementary in Rapid City, SD, has been teaching for 10 years. She currently teaches 4th grade. Kinlee graduated from the Chadron State College with a Bachelors degree in Elementary Education in 2013. Kinlee has participated in the Rapid City Area Schools Mathematics Leadership Cohort, served on the Corral Drive Leadership and Targeted School Improvement Teams, helped implement the Leader in Me project in her building, and has been nominated for Teacher of the Year for Corral Drive Elementary.

The Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) is the highest recognition that a kindergarten through 12th grade mathematics or science teacher may receive for outstanding teaching in the United States. Since 1983, more than 4,000 teachers have been recognized for their contributions to mathematics and science education. Awardees serve as models for their colleagues, inspiration to their communities, and leaders in the improvement of mathematics and science education.

State-Level Finalists automatically become candidates for the National Presidential Award.  Two teachers from each state may be selected as the state's Presidential Awardees and will be notified officially by the White House.  This will take place after a national committee reporting to the National Science Foundation makes its selection from the state-level finalists submitted by each state. Presidential awardees receive a citation signed by the President of the United States, a trip to Washington DC to attend a series of recognition events and professional development opportunities and a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation.

State-Level Finalists are nominated because someone thought of them as teachers who exhibit a passion for the subject they teach; who approach their work with creativity and imagination; and who strive daily to improve individual teaching practices.

Anyone--principals, teachers, parents, students, or members of the general public--may nominate a teacher by completing the nomination form available on the PAEMST website. For more information, please visit https://paemst.nsf.gov/

Download award appliciation.

 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching  https://paemst.nsf.gov/. Download award appliciation.

But wait! There's more!
Why else would a nominee want to complete the application process?

45 continuing education contact hours from the South Dakota Department of Education can also be earned toward certificate renewal by completing the application process.  To be eligible, a PAEMST candidate must complete all components of the application process and submit a scorable application that can be sent on to the state selection committee.  All applicants submitting a scorable application will earn credit, not just the state finalists whose materials will be sent on to a national selection panel.

Now that you know more, Do YOU:

·       Teach science or mathematics in grades 7-12

·       Have a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution?

·       Have at least 5 years of full-time employment prior to the 2023-2024 school year?

·       Teach students full-time at least 50% of a school’s allotted instructional time?

·       Have a passion for the subject you teach, approach your work with creativity and imagination, and work to improve your individual teaching practice daily?

If you have answered YES to the above questions and are a mathematics or science teacher in grades 7-12, consider applying for the 2024-2025 PAEMST award this FALL! The nomination window will open soon, check here for more information as it becomes available.

For more program information, visit https://paemst.nsf.gov/

Download award appliciation.

If you have any questions, please contact:

Allen Hogie                                                               Jennifer Fowler 

SD PAEMST Mathematics Coordinator                    SD PAEMST Science Coordinator

Allen.Hogie@k12.sd.us                                            DrRangerJen@gmail.com            

605.553.8095                                                            605.431.5438

Allen Hogie

Mathematics Teacher, Brandon Valley HS

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