TOPEKA-The 2012 state finalists for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching were named during a ceremony Tuesday, June 5, 2012, at the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center in Hutchinson. Brandi Leggett, a third grade teacher at Prairie Ridge Elementary in Shawnee, is one of three finalists in Kansas for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science Teaching. Leggett (left in photo) will learn next spring if she will represent the state as a national finalist. Leggett is pictured with Diane DeBacker, Kansas Commissioner of Education.

Official News Release
June 5, 2012

Kathy Toelkes, Director of Communications, 785-296-4876

State finalists for math and science teaching excellence awards named

TOPEKA-The 2012 state finalists for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching were named during a ceremony Tuesday, June 5, 2012, at the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center in Hutchinson. The 2012 state finalists for mathematics are Laura Hurla, Berryton Elementary School, Shawnee Heights USD 450; Nancy Shreve, Central Elementary School, Wamego USD 320; and Cathy Wilber West Elementary School, Wamego USD 320. The finalists for science are David Clark Jr., Wilbur Middle School, Wichita USD 259; Lindsey Constance, Bluejacket-Flint Elementary School, Shawnee Mission USD 512; and Brandi Leggett, Prairie Ridge Elementary School, De Soto USD 232.

 The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching are the nation's highest honor for mathematics and science teaching. They are presented to educators who show a high degree of knowledge, innovation, skill and leadership. Elementary and secondary educators are recognized in alternating years. This year, elementary educators are being recognized. Kansas had 13 mathematics nominees and 11 science nominees (a list of all nominees is attached). Each of the state finalists receives a $500 award and will go on to compete for a national finalist title. Two educators from each state, one in the area of mathematics and one in science, may be named national finalists next spring. Each of the national finalists will receive an award of $10,000.

 The state awards ceremony was just part of a two-day conference open to the nominees and other members of the Kansas Exemplary Educators Network (KEEN). The conference, which took place June 4 and 5 at the Kansas Cosmosphere & Space Center, included presentations from leading Kansas educators and the Kansas Cosmosphere.

The two-day conference was sponsored by Westar Energy, Wolf Creek Nuclear Operating Corporation, the Kansas Cosmosphere & Space Center, and the Kansas State Department of Education.

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