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Duncan Math Teacher Wins Prestigious Presidential Award
Reno, NV (April 29, 2011) - Glenn Duncan Elementary School teacher Janda Lannigan-Piekarz has been named one of 85 educators in the nation to receive the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.
Lannigan-Piekarz teaches fifth-grade departmentalized math. She has been teaching for 21 years, spending 15 of those with the Washoe County School District. She was nominated last year by former Duncan principal Mike Paul.
"The Presidential Award is the highest honor to be bestowed upon an educator," Lannigan-Piekarz said. "It validates a career dedicated to supporting communities and positively affecting the future of America. This award would not have been possible without the dedicated individuals who have mentored and worked alongside me, each class of students whose learning and life experiences have shaped my teaching and my husband and family who have provided unwavering support."
The award is given annually to outstanding K-12 math and science teachers in the country. Winners are chosen by a panel of scientists, mathematicians and educators following an initial selection process completed at the state level. Every year, the award alternates between teachers teaching kindergarten through sixth grade and those teaching seventh through 12th grades. The awardees for 2010 teach kindergarten through sixth grade.
All winners of the Presidential Award for Excellence will receive a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation to be used at their discretion. Along with the others, Lannigan-Piekarz also receives an expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. for an awards ceremony and other events in celebration of their honor.
"I feel incredibly humbled and honored receiving this award," Lannigan-Piekarz said. "I hope to meet other teachers around the country to find out what they're doing in math and science education and to share and receive new ideas from other places and people, all in the hope of helping our kids to improve and continue to be successful."
President Barack Obama has committed to strengthen science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and prepare 100,000 effective math and science teachers during the next decade. Obama's "Educate to Innovate" campaign already has drawn more than $700 million in donations and in-kind support from businesses, philanthropies, service organizations and others to improve science and technology education in the classroom.
Current Duncan Principal Susan Kehoe spoke highly of Lannigan-Piekarz's dedication in the classroom.
"Janda Lannigan-Piekarz is a master teacher with a high level of pedagogical knowledge in all areas of math," Kehoe said. "We are fortunate to have such a knowledgeable, dedicated educator here at Glenn Duncan as we move forward with our emphasis on STEM education and as we work toward meeting our pathway targets as part of the WCSD strategic plan."
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About Washoe County School District: The Washoe County School District includes the Reno/Sparks metropolitan area, Incline Village, Gerlach, Empire and Wadsworth, Nevada. The District provides each of its 63,000 students with a superior education in a safe and challenging environment and is committed to graduate every child career and college ready.
For more information visit www.washoecountyschools.org. Follow us on Twitter at WCSDTweet.
Washoe County School District
425 East Ninth Street
Reno, NV 89520
