Kay named as finalist

An educator in the Hot Springs County School District has been named one of six finalists in Wyoming to receive the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST).

Aimee Kay, a seventh and eighth grade science teacher at Thermopolis Middle School, was nominated by Jessica Lippincott.

The application process is similar to that for National Boards where Kay had to have a video of herself teaching a class and then reflecting upon it in an 11-page document. The application was done last May.

It now goes to the national level and could actually take up to two years before she hears anything. If chosen as a winner, Kay will then go to Washington, D.C. to be recognized.

This is the highest recognition an educator may receive in mathematics, science or computer science in the country and the awards are facilitated by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and the National Science Foundation.

In addition to the trip to D.C., if Kay wins she will also receive a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation.

"I'm excited," Kay said. "In the past six or seven years of being back in the classroom I have worked hard through the PLC format and feel like I have really improved as a teacher. I have great colleagues who push me to be my best and support me through the collaboration process.

"Going through the National Boards process has helped me improve as well. We all work very hard to be our best and I am grateful for the recognition of that hard work. I love teaching and helping my students obtain the skills required to help them build a happy life no matter what they choose to do and I can d oa better job of that by becoming the best teacher I can be.

"Cheezy, I know, but I do love being a teacher!"