By Sherri Blevins
Dr. Brandon Renfroe, a Geraldine High School science teacher, received news this past week that he had been selected as one of three state finalists for The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). Dr. Renfore is no stranger to awards or hard work. He was selected as DeKalb County’s Secondary Teacher of the Year in August 2022. He has worked this past year diligently launching the Geraldine Bulldog Food Pantry, feeding families from all across DeKalb County each Saturday morning. Dr. Renfroe has enlisted students and other faculty members in the valuable service instilling in his students the importance of civic responsibility and demonstrating that individuals can work together for the good of others.
The PAEMST awards are the highest honors the United States government bestows specifically for K-12 science, technology, engineering, and mathematics teachers. Congress established the Awards in 1983. The President may recognize up to 108 exemplary teachers each year.
Awards are given to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics teachers from each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Department of Defense Education Activity schools, or the U.S. territories as a group (American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and U.S. Virgin Islands).
The award recognizes those teachers who have both deep content knowledge of the subjects they teach and the ability to motivate and enable students to be successful in those areas. Since the program’s inception, more than 5,200 teachers have been recognized for their contributions in the classroom and to their profession.
Awardees reflect the expertise and dedication of the Nation’s teaching corps, and they demonstrate the positive impact of excellent teachers on student achievement. The National Science Foundation administers PAEMST for The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.
Each state finalist moves on to the national selection committee, which will identify up to two teachers –one in mathematics and one in science – from each state.
Recipients of the award receive the following:
• A certificate signed by the President of the United States.
• A paid trip to Washington, D.C., to attend recognition events and professional development opportunities.
• A $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation.
• An opportunity to build lasting partnerships with colleagues across the Nation
MVN spoke with Dr. Renfroe concerning his selection as a state finalist. Dr. Renfore stated, “I was very surprised…because I know there are much better teachers than me at Geraldine. It’s a testament to our school- we’re truly a family.” Dr. Renfroe also has a wonderful sense of humor and a humble spirit. He added, “A blind squirrel finds a nut every now and then. I know I don’t deserve it.”
The National Science Foundation will announce the state winners later this year.
