Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST)

On July 18, 2025, NSF announced that it will pause the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) program until further notice. NSF administers this program on behalf of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. Updated information will be posted if the program is reinstated in the future.

This prestigious national awards program increased status and rewards for demonstrated professionalism, including leadership, in the areas of mathematics and science teaching so that individuals of high quality were encouraged to enter and remain in the field of teaching.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) administered the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science and Mathematics Teaching (PAEMST) for the White House, from 1983 until 2024 to improve teaching in mathematics and the sciences. Each year, the program honored outstanding mathematics and science teachers throughout the United States and its territories in recognition of:

• high-quality classroom performance;
• the effects teachers have on students; and
• the teacher's personal and professional goals.

2025 State Finalists*

2025 Grade 7-12 Science:

• Kerri Krawczyk, Kickemuit Middle School, Bristol-Warren

• Kelly Grennan Smith, Davisville Middle School, North Kingstown

2025 Grade 7-12 Mathematics:

• Kathleen Bubrick, South Kingstown High School

*National awardees were not selected for 2025 due to the discontinuation of the federal PAEMST program.

Recent National Awardees:

Stacy Gale

Paul Cuffee School
Providence, Rhode Island
2024 K-6 Science

Kerry Johnson

Narragansett High School
Narragansett, Rhode Island
2023 7-12 Mathematics

Amy Biagioni-Chmura

Exeter-West Greenwich High School
West Greenwich, Rhode Island
2023 7-12 Science

Heidi Fee

Charlestown Elementary School
Charlestown, Rhode Island
2022 K-6 Mathematics

Paul Ruhle

Lincoln High School
Lincoln, Rhode Island
2021 7-12 Mathematics

Bryan Colahan

Rogers High School
Pawtucket, Rhode Island
2021 7-12 Science

Nicole Lemire

Samuel Slater Middle School
Pawtucket, Rhode Island
2020 K-6 Science

Nicolle (Nikki) Greene

Holliman Elementary
Warwick, Rhode Island
2020 Award Mathematics