Teacher From Isidore Newman School in New Orleans, La., Wins Presidential Award

May 21, 01:51 AM

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Jennifer Williams, a science teacher from Isidore Newman School in New Orleans, La., has received a 2006 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, the nation's highest honor for K-12 teaching.

Established by Congress in 1983 and administered for the White House by the National Science Foundation, the program identifies outstanding mathematics and science teachers from each of the 50 states and four U.S. jurisdictions. Each state and jurisdiction can select up to three mathematics and three science teachers as state finalists. From this field of state finalists, a maximum of 108 Presidential Awardees are selected. Recipients of the 2006 Presidential Awards were announced today as part of a week of celebratory events in Washington, D.C.

Awardees receive a citation signed by President Bush, a paid trip to Washington, D.C., to attend a week-long series of recognition events and professional development opportunities, and $10,000 from the National Science Foundation.

Williams, who teaches science in the kindergarten through the third grade, was one of four Louisiana finalists for the 2006 Presidential Award. This is her second nomination.

Exploding film canisters, dancing neutrons and living wetlands in an outdoor classroom are just a few examples of Williams' teaching style. She has her second-graders working with the Pontchartrain Institute for Environmental Sciences and UNO's Department of Biological Sciences to grow and later transfer cord grasses to help restore the state's wetlands.

Third-graders participate in the highly successful STARS program Williams created. Students Teaching and Respecting Science is an outreach program that allows Newman students to teach science in public and parochial schools.

Before coming to Newman in 1999, Williams taught at Belle Chasse Elementary School. She has been recognized locally and nationally with numerous grants and awards.

Credit: CityBusiness Staff Report

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