WCPSS Teacher Earns Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching
July 9, 2009 - Hunter Elementary teacher Carol Wooten was one of 87 science, math, and engineering teachers named by President Obama to receive the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. The educators will receive their awards in the fall at a White House ceremony.Wooten is a fifth-grade teacher at Hunter Elementary, a magnet school with the gifted and talented program. She’s been working with WCPSS since 1998.
Winners of the Presidential Teaching Award receive $10,000 awards from the National Science Foundation to be used at their discretion. They also receive an expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. for a White House awards ceremony and several days of educational and celebratory events, including visits with members of Congress and science agency leaders.
"There is no higher calling than furthering the educational advancement of our nation’s young people and encouraging and inspiring our next generation of leaders," President Obama said. "These awards represent a heartfelt salute of appreciation to a remarkable group of individuals who have devoted their lives and careers to helping others and in doing so have helped us all."
The Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching is awarded annually to the best pre-college-level science and math teachers from across the country. The winners are selected by a panel of distinguished scientists, mathematicians, and educators following an initial selection process done at the state level. Each year the award alternates, going either to science and math teachers in grades K through 6 (as it is this year) or to those teaching in grades 7 through 12.
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