SACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell congratulated Jeffrey Mark Luscher as a 2008 award winner for the prestigious Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) Program.

"The Presidential Award is the highest recognition that a mathematics teacher can receive," said O'Connell. "I am pleased that this outstanding mathematics teacher from Santiago High School in Corona will be honored as one of the nation's best. Jeffrey Luscher was selected because he teaches a wide range of mathematics courses from sheltered mathematics to advanced placement calculus. He brings incredible energy and enthusiasm to his teaching and always relates mathematics directly to the life experiences of his own students. Through his sense of humor, he makes learning mathematics appealing to his diverse population of students. He breaks down barriers and motivates all of his students to succeed. California can be proud of this accomplished teaching professional."

Luscher is a high school mathematics teacher at Santiago High School in the Corona-Norco Unified School District, Corona, Riverside County. He has served as department chair since 1995. He graduated from the University of Southern California with a bachelor's degree in mathematics and earned a teaching credential at the same university. His numerous prior awards include being named twice as the Corona-Norco Teacher of the Year, three times as the Riverside County Mathematics Teachers' Association Outstanding High School Teacher, and once as the City of Corona Award of Excellence in Education. He is also an avid motorcycle enthusiast and is a charter member of the Inland Empire Harley Owner's Group.        

Luscher was one of two California mathematics teachers selected as 2007 California State PAEMST nominees in mathematics. His application was reviewed by a state panel of content experts and outstanding teachers by the California Mathematics Council and forwarded to the National Science Foundation that coordinates the national PAEMST Program on behalf of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.

On Saturday, April 26, Luscher flew to Washington, D.C. for a week-long celebration of his accomplishments. The celebration week will culminate in a visit to the White House and the personal congratulations of the President. He will also receive a $10,000 award.

The Presidential Award program recruits outstanding science teachers from every state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. territories, and schools operated worldwide by the Department of Defense Education Agency. Luscher will join 54 other outstanding mathematics teachers, each representing their own state or jurisdiction.

Recruitment has begun for the 2009 Presidential Awards, which will recognize outstanding secondary teachers, teaching in grades seven through twelve. More information about the national program may be found at PAEMST [http://www.paemst.org] (Outside Source).  Also see PAEMST Science Award Winner.