Minnesota Council of
Teachers of Mathematics

2006 Presidential Awardee

STATE WINNER OF THE PRESIDENTIAL AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE TEACHING ANNOUNCED

Deb Guthrie, second grade teacher at Valentine Hills Elementary School in Arden Hills (Mounds View School District), was selected by the White House as Minnesota’s 2006 Presidential Award winner in mathematics.  Deb was honored in Washington, DC along with Presidential Award recipients from the other states during the week of May 14-19.  While in Washington Deb had the opportunity to represent some of the education concerns shared by many MCTM members when she met with Senator Norm Coleman and Representative Betty McCollum. 

The Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching is the highest honor the nation bestows on K-12 mathematics teachers.  Award winners spend a week in Washington, DC, receive a $10,000 cash award from the National Science Foundation, are honored at a State Department dinner, receive a Presidential Citation at an awards ceremony, attend professional development, and participate in meetings with education and political officials.

Teachers of grades K-6 were eligible for the 2006 award.  Teachers must be nominated and complete an application process.  The 2007 Presidential Award was open to teachers of grades 7-12 and the three state finalists will be announced later this year.  The 2008 Presidential Award will be open to teachers of grades K-6 and nominations will begin later this summer.  More information about the Presidential Awards program is available at www.paemst.org

On February 25, the three state finalists for the 2006 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics Teaching were honored at a banquet held at the Canyon Grille in Coon Rapids.  The three finalists were Barb Abramson from Gleason Elementary School in Wayzata, Kristin Cayo from Forest Hills Elementary School in Eden Prairie, and Deb Guthrie from Valentine Hills Elementary School in Mounds View. 

Past Minnesota Awardees

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