School of Education alumna finalist for nation’s highest math teaching honor

Friday, October 12, 2012

The six finalists from the state of Indiana for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) for elementary teachers includes a graduate of the Indiana University School of Education. Margaret Strnat, a teacher at Cumberland Road Elementary, part of the Hamilton Southeastern Schools in Fishers, earned a master’s in elementary education at IU Bloomington in 2005. Strnat joins five other finalists for the PAEMST math and science teaching honor at a recognition luncheon hosted by the Indiana Department of Education on Monday, Oct. 15.

The PAEMST award is the nation’s highest honor for mathematics and science teachers. The award alternates between elementary and secondary teachers. Earlier this year, Stacy McCormack, BS’99 from the IU School of Education and the 2011 Indiana Teacher of the Year, won the PAEMST secondary science teacher award for the state of Indiana, culminating in a ceremony in June at the White House. McCormack was one of three IU School of Education alumni who were finalists for the secondary teacher PAEMST awards.

The luncheon for the Indiana PAEMST elementary award finalists is at the Indiana Historical Society.

Here is the complete list of the Indiana finalists:

Science

Teresa Gross, Westwood Elementary, Greenwood Community Schools
Kristen Poindexter, Spring Mill Elementary, MSD Washington Township
Margaret Strnat, Cumberland Road Elementary, Hamilton Southeastern Schools

Math

Amy Berns, James Russell Lowell Elementary, Indianapolis Public Schools
Jeffrey Berry, Snacks Crossing Elementary, MSD Pike Township
Jay Vahle, Woodbrook Elementary, Carmel Clay Schools