The prestigious Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching have named two Northeast Wisconsin teachers as finalists. Debra Heitman, a fifth grade math teacher at Coleman Elementary School in the Coleman School District, and Sheila Kohl, a fifth-sixth grade STEM teacher at West De Pere Intermediate School in the School District of West De Pere are among the six finalists announced by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction for the 2024 award.
This is considered the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government for math and science teachers. Other finalists from Wisconsin include Jacquelynn Bazylewicz, a fifth grade math teacher at Edgewood Elementary in the School District of Greenfield, Melissa Sperle, a fifth grade math teacher at Winskill Elementary School in the Lancaster Community Schools, Mary Ellen Kanthack, a sixth grade science teacher at Brookwood Middle School in the Genoa City Joint 2 School District, and Rhonda Veroeven, a sixth grade science teacher at Glacier Creek Middle School in the Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District.
The teachers were selected as finalists based on criteria required by the national PAEMST program. Their applications will now be judged at the national level by a committee organized by the National Science Foundation who administers the award on behalf of The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. One awardee in mathematics and one in science will receive a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation, as well as professional development opportunities, and will be honored at an award ceremony in Washington D.C. The PAEMST award has been presented annually since 1983 to K-12 STEM teachers from across