MADISON, Wis — The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction announced six Wisconsin educators are finalists for a national award for mathematics and science teaching.

What You Need To Know

  • The 2024 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) is one of the highest honors given by the U.S. government

  • The Wisconsin finalists are Jacquelyn Bazylewicz, Debra Heitman, Mary Ellen Kanthack, Sheila Kohl, Melissa Sperle and Rhonda Veroeven

  • One awardee in each subject will receive a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation to develop professional opportunities and will be honored at an award ceremony in Washington, D.C.

The 2024 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) is one of the highest honors given by the U.S. government.

“These amazing teachers, all finalists for Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, exemplify what it means to be an effective educator,” State Superintendent Jill Underly said in a press release. “They have expertise in math and science, and they have an unwavering passion and commitment. I know they inspire their students — they inspire all of us—and I congratulate them and thank them for going above and beyond in supporting their students.”

The finalists from Wisconsin are:

  • Jacquelynn Bazylewicz, fifth grade teacher (mathematics finalist), Edgewood Elementary, School District of Greenfield
  • Debra Heitman, fifth grade teacher (mathematics finalist), Coleman Elementary School, Coleman School District
  • Mary Ellen Kanthack, sixth grade teacher (science finalist), Brookwood Middle School, Genoa City Joint 2 School District
  • Sheila Kohl, fifth-sixth grade STEM teacher (science finalist), West De Pere Intermediate School, School District of West De Pere
  • Melissa Sperle, fifth grade teacher (mathematics finalist), Winskill Elementary School, Lancaster Community Schools
  • Rhonda Veroeven, sixth grade teacher (science finalist), Glacier Creek Middle School, Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District

A state-established committee selects finalists for the award. Finalists are then judged at the national level by a National Science Foundation-established committe. 

One awardee in each subject will receive a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation to develop professional opportunities and will be honored at an award ceremony in Washington, D.C.

This award has been presented annually since 1983.

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