SACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell congratulated four outstanding California teachers selected by a national panel as state finalists for the 2006 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST).

Mariana Alwell and Tapp Hancock were selected as state mathematics finalists. Debi Drab and Anne Marie Wotkyns were selected as state science finalists.

"The selection of these extraordinary teachers shows they have a strong commitment to help children meet our rigorous standards that are designed to get students to master the skills necessary for college or careers," said O'Connell. "I congratulate the finalists for doing their jobs so well that they receive this national distinction, and I hope other educators will follow their lead."

Mariana Alwell teaches sixth grade at Garden Gate Elementary School in the Cupertino Union School District, Santa Clara County. She was selected teacher of the year by her district and has participated in the Noyce Foundation's Silicon Valley mathematics initiative that develops leadership strategies and curriculum in developing challenging math content. Alwell received the Goldin Foundation for Excellence in Education Award, the Malti Prasad Excellence in Mathematics Teaching Award, and the Santa Clara Valley Math Association Award for Outstanding Mathematics Teaching. She has also served as a co-leader of the district's math lead teacher network.

"Mariana has demonstrated superb leadership in finding ways to make math interesting and fun in children's lives," said O'Connell. "She challenges her students to become active learners by sometimes play-acting in roles to help them learn math hands-on."

Tapp Hancock is a second grade teacher at Wayside Elementary School in the Bakersfield City Unified School District, Kern County. She has served as a district mentor teacher and a Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment program provider.  Hancock was awarded a U.S. patent for a mathematics system she developed, and is a Fulbright Scholar.  She was also named outstanding teacher for Kern County and is a member of the San Joaquin Valley Math Project, the California Math Council, and the National Teachers of Mathematics Council.

"The system Tapp developed, teaches students division and multiplication using their fingers. This method is innovative and empowers students to solve any math problem," said O'Connell. "She is also an excellent mentor to other math teachers."

Debi Drab is a sixth grade teacher at Tincher Preparatory School in the Long Beach Unified School District, Los Angeles County.  She teachers gifted and talented education students and English-language learners.  In addition to teaching regular science, Drab also teaches a marine biology elective. She was an instructor in the district bilingual intern program and a teacher in the Specially Designed Academic Instruction in English program. She also served as a Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment program coach. She has developed science modules, Specially Designed Academic Instruction in English lessons, and science curriculum correlations for grades kindergarten through fifth grade. Drab also taught at a residential outdoor education program for Long Beach Unified School District students.

"Debi helps her students develop a passion for learning by allowing them hands-on experience with science," said O'Connell.  "She has also demonstrated strong leadership as a mentor to other science teachers."

Anne Marie Wotkyns teaches fourth grade at J. B. Monlux Math, Science, and Technology Magnet Elementary School in the Los Angeles Unified School District, Los Angeles County. She serves as the school's lead science specialist. Wotkyns received the Centers for Ocean Sciences Education Excellence-West Quiksilver Ocean Leadership Award, the Flex Your Power Energy Challenge Award, and the Toyota Innovation Grant. She was a National Science Foundation Fellow and a nominee for Disney's American Teacher Awards. She also is a member of the National Science Teacher Association, the California Science Teacher Association, and the Greater Los Angeles Teachers of Science Association.

"Anne Marie has developed an innovative curriculum that is designed to improve and enhance the learning experience for children," said O'Connell. "She believes in challenging students to be more involved and responsible for their own learning that she hopes will inspire them to be life-long learners."

As PAEMST state finalists, these four teachers are automatically nominated to receive the nation's highest teaching award, the Presidential Award. Up to three teachers in both the math and science categories may be nominated yearly by each state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. territories, and schools operated worldwide by the Department of Defense Education Agency.  Each year a national panel of distinguished scientists, mathematicians, and educators recommends as many as 108 teachers nationwide to receive the prestigious Presidential Award. One mathematics teacher and one science teacher will be chosen from each state. The White House will announce the national awardees in March of 2007.

Teachers selected as Presidential Awardees receive a $10,000 award, a citation from the President, and a paid trip to Washington, D.C. for a series of recognition events, information exchange programs, and an awards ceremony.

The four 2006 California finalists and the two 2005 California Presidential Awardees will be recognized at a fall meeting of the State Board of Education. They will also receive a plaque signed by both O'Connell and State Board of Education President Ken Noonan at a luncheon following the board meeting.

More information on PAEMST, including the 2007 nomination form for teachers of grades seven through twelve, may be found at Division of Research on Learning in Formal and Informal Settings [http://www.nsf.gov/div/index.jsp?div=DRL] (Outside Source).