La Crosse’s Gardner named state finalist for national teaching award

A La Crosse teacher is one of five finalists Wisconsin finalists for the 2020 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.

The award is considered the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government for math and science teachers.

Among those finalists is Southern Bluffs Elementary teacher Marcia Gardner.

“Our goal has been to build connections between teachers in our district and educators outside of La Crosse to benefit kids,” said Gardner in a statement. “The connections made and the time other educators have spent with our kids during this process to answer their questions, listen to what they had to say, and offer suggestions on their projects reinforced to our students that they are worthy of that attention and that they are scientists as kids. This process has shown our students that they can do anything.”

The five teachers were selected for their knowledge of the subjects they teach, and for facilitating and encouraging success among students in those areas.

Wisconsin finalists for the 2020 PAEMST award are:

• Marcia Gardner, 4th-grade science teacher, Southern Bluffs Elementary, La Crosse
• Sonja Hungness, 6th-grade math teacher, Kromrey Middle School, Middleton
• Mary Ellen Kanthack, 8th-grade science teacher, Brookwood Middle School, Genoa City
• Leigh Kohlmann, 6th-grade science teacher, Rock River Intermediate School, Waupun
• Lois Womack, 4th/5th-grade math teacher, Marvin Pratt Elementary School, Milwaukee

The award has been presented annually since 1983.

K-12 science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and/or computer science teachers from across the nation are nominated for the award.

State finalists will be judged at the national level by a committee organized by the National Science Foundation, which administers PAEMST on behalf of The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.

Two winners each receive a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation and are honored at an award ceremony in Washington, D.C.