Rogers Park math teacher receives Presidential Excellence Award

Kim Moran, a sixth-grade math teacher at Rogers Park Middle School, was one of four Connecticut teachers to receive the Presidential Excellence Award in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering (PAEMST). The honor was awarded to more than 200 educators nationwide for 2018.

Last fall, Moran had been chosen as a Connecticut State Finalist for the award. The awards program is the nation’s highest honor for k-12 science, technology, engineering, mathematics and computer science teachers. It is administered by the National Science Foundation (NSF) on behalf of The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. According to PAEMST, the state finalists represent the most outstanding teachers in each state and serve as both a model and inspiration to students and colleagues. Each year, a national committee of prominent mathematicians, scientists, mathematics/science education researchers, district level personnel, and classroom teachers recommends up to 108 teachers to receive PAEMST awards. Up to two teachers – mathematics or science - from each State, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. territories as a group, and schools operated in the United States and overseas by the Department of Defense Education Activity receive the award.

Teachers who are selected as PAEMST awardees receive a trip to Washington, D.C., where they attend a series of recognition events and professional development opportunities. They also receive a $10,000 award from NSF and a Presidential certificate. “I had no doubt that Kim would move up from finalist to a recipient of this prestigious award,” said Superintendent Dr. Sal Pascarella. “We have been making great strides in our math program at Rogers Park, and Kim has been a tremendous contributor to not only the program’s success, but also in helping our students reach their goals.”