SACRAMENTO — Four outstanding California teachers have been selected as state finalists for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). One math teacher and one science teacher from this group of finalists may be chosen as recipients of the Presidential Award.

"I congratulate these four outstanding mathematics and science teachers for their innovative and creative approaches to teaching. By bringing science and math to life in their classrooms, they are encouraging their students to challenge all possibilities. It is essential that all California students receive high quality math and science instruction, and these California teachers will serve as models for the nation," said Jack O'Connell, State Superintendent of Public Instruction.

The 2003 finalists, along with the 2002 presidential awardees, will be honored at a fall meeting of the State Board of Education. At the State Board meeting, each finalist and awardee will receive a plaque signed by both State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell and State Board of Education President Reed Hastings.

The mathematics finalist is Ana England, a National Board Certified teacher who teaches sixth through eighth grade math. England is the MESA (Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement) advisor at Lakeview Middle School, Pajaro Valley Unified School District, Santa Cruz County.

The finalists in science are Eric Burtson, a National Board Certified teacher who currently teaches International Baccalaureate (IB) physics, IB chemistry, and science technology at San Diego High School, San Diego Unified School District, San Diego County; Janet English, an eighth grade science teacher at Serrano Intermediate School, Saddleback Valley Unified School District, Orange County; and Mike Fischer, a tenth through twelfth grade teacher of an applied physics and an advanced physics program which he developed at Granite Bay High School, Roseville Joint Union High School District, Placer County.

The National Science Foundation, on behalf of the White House, administers the PAEMST program, which provides the nation's highest honor for mathematics and science teachers in kindergarten through grade twelve.

Each year, a national panel of distinguished scientists, mathematicians, and educators recommends as many as 108 teachers to receive the Presidential Award — one math teacher and one science teacher from each state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, United States territories, and the schools operated in the United States and overseas by the Department of Defense Education Agency.

Teachers who are selected as presidential awardees each receive $10,000, a citation from the President of the United States, and a trip to Washington, D.C. for a series of recognition events, information exchange programs, and an awards ceremony.

For more information on the Presidential Awards program, including the 2004 nomination and application forms for kindergarten through grade six teachers, go to the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching's Web site at http://www.nsf.gov/div/index.jsp?div=DUE (Outside Source), keyword "math and science partnership."

You may also contact the California Department of Education's Awards Unit at 916-319-0411 for information on the science finalists. Additional information on the math finalist is available from Sandie Gilliam, state mathematics coordinator, San Lorenzo Valley High School, at 831-335-1677.