The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has named iUniversity Prep science and math teacher Cheri Palmer as one of just three Texas finalists for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST).
The PAEMST, established by Congress in 1983, are the highest honors bestowed by the United States government specifically for K-12 science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and/or computer science teaching. The awards recognize those teachers who have both deep content knowledge of the subjects they teach and the ability to motivate and enable students to be successful in those areas.
Ms. Palmer is in her 22nd year teaching, and her 6th year at iUniversity Prep where she teaches 5th-Grade Science, as well as 7th-Grade On-Level and Advanced Math. She received her Bachelor’s and teaching credential from Fresno State University and her Master's in Math & Science from Fresno Pacific University.
“Being one of the three finalists in Texas for the science PAEMST award is heartwarming to me because it affirms and recognizes all of the amazing work that our administrators, office staff, teachers, parents and students do on a daily basis at iUniversity Prep,” Palmer said. “I am extremely fortunate to be one piece of the puzzle in our outstanding Owl Family at iUP. I would love nothing more than to bring home the hardware to share with this group of educators because my work family exemplifies excellence and are all deserving of recognition.”
A national selection committee will now review the three finalists from Texas and choose one to be a PAEMST awardee. Each Presidential Awardee receives a certificate signed by the President of the United States, a paid trip to Washington, D.C., to attend a series of recognition events and professional development opportunities and a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation.
The National Science Foundation, under the direction of the White House, organizes the national selection committee which is composed of prominent mathematicians, scientists, mathematics/science education researchers, district-level personnel, and classroom teachers.
This is the second consecutive year that a GCISD teacher has been named by TEA as a Texas finalist for the PAEMST after Colleyville Heritage High School teacher Jason Crump was a finalist last year.