Schell, Smith named as national award finalists

Homewood City Schools teachers have been named as two of five finalists for this year’s Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching: Rita Schell, LEAD teacher at Hall-Kent Elementary School, and Pam Smith, LEAD teacher at Edgewood Elementary School.

This is the nation’s highest honor for teachers of mathematics and science. The awardees serve as models for their colleagues, inspiration to their communities and leaders in the improvement of mathematics and science education.

“Mathematics and science are vital parts of curriculum in today’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math)-oriented world,” Alabama Schools Superintendent Tommy Bice said. “The five elementary school teachers honored by the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching bring great prestige to the teaching profession.”

Alabama’s Presidential finalists were recognized in March by the Alabama Board of Education, and they were honored at an awards luncheon sponsored by the National Science Foundation at the Capital City Club in Montgomery.