Presidential Awards for Mathematics and Science
The National Science Foundation (NSF) administers the
Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science and Mathematics Teaching (PAESMT) for the
White House, which began the program in 1983 to improve teaching in mathematics and the
sciences. This prestigious national awards program is intended to increase status and
rewards for demonstrated professionalism, including leadership, in the areas of
mathematics and science teaching so that individuals of high quality will be encouraged to
enter and remain in the field of teaching. Elementary-level teachers have been included in
the program since 1990. Each year, the program honors 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.
During its first decade, the PAESMT program has received significant favorable national attention and
recognition while expanding its scope to embrace elementary-school teachers as well as middle/secondary-school
teachers of mathematics and science.
After a rigorous state-level screening and selection process, the state finalists are again screened at the
national level before 216 Presidential Awardees are named to represent the states, territories, and jurisdictions
covered by the PAESMT program.
1999 State Level Presidential Award Recipients
Elementary Mathematics
Mariann C. Hayward
Peace Dale Elementary School
South Kingstown
Secondary Mathematics
Catherine M. Boutin
John F. Deering Middle School
West Warwick
Lynn Rakatansky
Riverside Junior High School
East Providence
Eric V. Simonian
Toll Gate High School
Warwick
Elementary Science
Elizabeth D. Angelotti
Clayville Elementary School
Scituate
Brenda M. Engstrom
Robertson Elementary School
Warwick
Marilyn I. Remick
Norwood Avenue School
Cranston
Secondary Science
Tracy Bailey-Gates
East Greenwich High School
East Greenwich
Christine C. Johnson
Cumberland High School
Cumberland
Anna M. Saccoccio
Nathaniel Greene Middle School
Providence