Media Advisory:

Governor to Recognize Top Math and Science Teachers

Congratulations to Mrs. Kajitani:

Hawaii's Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science Teaching!

Four of the finalists -- one from each category -- will be selected as national awardees. The announcement from the National Science Foundation is imminent. Each of the four national awardees will receive a $7,500 grant from the NSF to direct a math or science project at his or her school, and an expense-paid trip for two to Washington, D.C., to attend recognition events and meetings with government and education leaders.

Presidential Awards are the nation's highest honor for K-12 math and science teachers. About 200 teachers nationwide are selected for the White House award by a national committee of scientists, mathematicians, and educators. Awards are based on sample lesson plans, student works, professional and non-professional activities, and teaching performance, background, and experience.

Four Hawai'i teachers in D.C. to accept awards

By Jennifer Hiller

Advertiser Education Writer

Winners of the 2001 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science will receive a $7,500 grant for their school and have already left for a free trip to Washington, D.C., to attend the awards ceremony tonight and participate in a week of activities.

The Hawai'i winners are Phyllis Nakama-Kawamoto, a math teacher at Mililani Mauka Elementary School; Geraldine Kajitani, a science teacher at Nu'uanu Elementary School; Wesley Yuu, a math teacher at Mililani Middle School; and Joan Rohrback, a science teacher at Sacred Hearts Academy.

The White House program, administered by the National Science Foundation, honors math and science teachers from kindergarten to grade 12 in all states, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories and Department of Defense schools abroad.

This year, 196 winners were selected from more than 600 nominees.

"This premier group of science and mathematics teachers brings science, engineering and mathematics to life in the classroom and nurtures curiosity in our youth through their innovative and creative approaches to teaching," said NSF director Rita Colwell.

After an initial selection process at the state level, a national panel of scientists, mathematicians and educators recommends teachers to receive a Presidential Award. One elementary and one secondary math teacher, and one elementary and one secondary science teacher from each state and jurisdiction are selected.

The Presidential Awards have been given since 1983.

Wednesday, March 20, 2002

 

4 isle teachers honored

for math and science

Star-Bulletin staff

 

Four Hawaii teachers are in Washington, D.C., this week attending an awards ceremony for receiving the 2001 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.

 

They, along with other teachers, will also receive a $7,500 grant for their schools.

 

The White House program, which is administered by the National Science Foundation, is the nation's highest honor for math and science teachers in grades kindergarten through 12.

 

Hawaii's math award recipients are Phyllis Nakama-Kawamoto of Mililani Mauka Elementary and Wesley Yuu of Mililani Middle School.

 

The state's science award recipients are Geraldine Kajitani of Nuuanu Elementary School and Joan Rohrback of Sacred Hearts Academy.

 

The winners were selected from more than 600 nominees.

 

One elementary and secondary school math and science teacher is chosen from every state, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories and the U.S. Department of Defense.

 

"This premier group of science and mathematics teachers brings science, engineering and mathematics to life in the classroom and nurtures curiosity in our youth through their innovative and creative approaches to learning," said National Science Foundation director Rita Colwell.

Governor Benjamin Cayetano will recognize the 2001 state finalists for the "Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching" during a public ceremony in his office on Wednesday, November 28, at 10:30 a.m.

The five public school and six private school PAEMST state finalists are:

MATHEMATICS - ELEMENTARY

-- Clifford Lee, Iolani School

-- Phyllis Nakama-Kawamoto, Mililani Mauka Elementary

-- Michelle Tuzon, Sacred Hearts Academy

MATHEMATICS - SECONDARY

-- Timothy Cantley, Sacred Hearts Academy

-- Michael Park, Iolani School

-- Wesley Yuu, Mililani Middle School

SCIENCE - ELEMENTARY

-- Pamela Corpuz-Lahne, Aikahi Elementary

-- Beverly Kawamura, Salt Lake Elementary

-- Geraldine Kajitani, Nuuanu Elementary

SCIENCE - SECONDARY

-- Joan Rohrback, Sacred Hearts Academy

-- Joel Truesdell, Kamehameha School

One national winner will be selected from each of the four categories later in the school year. For additional information on the Presidential Awards program, go to http://www.ehr.nsf.gov/pres_awards

Source contacts: DOE Science Specialist Justin Mew and/or Math Specialist Kathy Nishimura at 394-1341.