Two Oklahoma teachers receive praise from Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister for winning the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. Mark Thomas of Stillwater High School and Sarah Vann of Owasso Eighth Grade Center are the two teachers from Oklahoma recognized for their efforts in the classroom. Only 108 teachers nationwide are honored by this award each year.
“We are extremely proud of the hard work and dedication of our teachers in Oklahoma,” said Hofmeister. “Ms. Vann and Mr. Thomas demonstrate that a commitment to excellence in education has a direct impact on the growth and development of our schoolchildren, and in turn, the future of our great state.”
Vann, Thomas, and the other teachers who received the Presidential Award will be given $10,000 from the National Science Foundation to be used as they wish. They are invited to attend an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C.
A panel, mathematicians, and educators helped to choose the award winners. Each year the award alternates between kindergarten through sixth grade teachers and seventh through 12th grade teachers. This year honored the latter. ~ Jason Doyle Oden
Why aren’t these outstanding teachers further rewarded with pay that is higher than the average teacher in their time bracket?
I agree with Castor. Also, I am absolutely shocked by the pay some of the school superintendents get. A high school buddy of mine gets over $125,000 a year as school super in a town of only 1200 people? I’m happy for him but as a taxpayer, I can’t see how that is even close to justified. And he’s not the exception. School supers and principals get way overpaid compared to teachers, IMO.