Four Tennessee math, science teachers named finalists for presidential award

Rachel Wegner, Nashville Tennessean
·2 min read

Four Tennessee teachers are in the running for the prestigious Presidential Awards for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching.

The Tennessee Department of Education announced state finalists on Tuesday. The finalists are:

  • Cathy Cambron, mathematics teacher, Hickman Elementary School (Metro Nashville Public Schools)

  • Kelly Carey, science teacher, Tusculum Elementary School (Metro Nashville Public Schools)

  • Lauren Fluharty, mathematics teacher, Discovery School (Murfreesboro City Schools)

  • Deborah Shuler, science teacher, Poplar Grove Middle School (Franklin Special School District)

The awards are run by the National Science Foundation for the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and recognize teachers in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM. The awards are considered among the nation's highest honors for K-12 STEM teachers. They recognize awardees for their contributions to education as a whole and the way they help students excel in the subjects they teach.

"These finalists embody the most incredible STEM teachers across the state and the nation," Tennessee Education Commissioner Lizzette Reynolds said in a news release from the department. "I commend these educators for their valuable commitment to providing exceptional math and science learning and teaching to prepare students for future success."

What's next

The finalists will now be considered by a national selection committee comprised of prominent mathematicians, scientists, math and science researchers, district leaders and classroom teachers, according to the release. Each state can have up to two winners, one in math and one in science.

Winners will receive a $10,000 award and a presidential certificate. They'll also be brought to Washington, D.C., and become part of a cohort of other award-winning teachers, with a chance to influence state and national STEM education and teaching. It was not immediately clear when the national finalists would be selected.

Learn more about the awards, including how to nominate teachers, at PAEMST.nsf.gov.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Presidential math, science teaching award: TN teachers named finalists