Daniel Moix, the computer science education specialist for the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts, has been named a recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.
Moix was recognized as the outstanding seventh- through 12th-grade mathematics teacher for the state of Arkansas. A mathematics teacher and science teacher in those grades from each state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. territories and the Department of Defense Education Activity schools are honored in even years. Teachers in kindergarten through sixth grade are also recognized, usually in odd-numbered years, although both cohorts are being recognized this year.
The award is the nation’s highest honor for teachers of mathematics and science, including computer science. Awardees serve as models for their colleagues, inspiration to their communities and leaders in the improvement of mathematics and science education, according to the program’s website.
The teachers receive a certificate signed by the President of the United States, a paid trip for two to Washington, D.C., for a series of recognition events and professional development opportunities, and a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation, which sponsors the program.
Moix said he was very excited and happy when he officially received the news that he would be this year’s mathematics awardee for Arkansas. This is the first time in the program’s history that computer science teachers were allowed to enter the competition. They were given the choice of whether they would compete in the mathematics or science category. Moix said the lesson his application focused on was more mathematics based so he chose the mathematics category.
“For me this was not just a math and science award, but it’s the first year that computer science has been allowed to enter the award process, so I feel like I’m not only representing myself and my own work but also computer science teachers,” he said. “I’m really glad for all of the computer science teachers who can receive recognition that what we do is important.”
Moix’s recognition comes as an emphasis is being placed on computer science education in the state of Arkansas and nationally. Arkansas began requiring all public and charter high schools to offer computer science education courses during the 2015-16 academic year. Moix said receiving recognition at this time is important.
“Right now there is an incredible influx of interest and acceptance for computer science education. Now more than ever is the time for computer science to be recognized on the same level of mathematics and science by the National Science Foundation,” Moix said.
“This award not only recognizes excellence in a given discipline, but focuses on the commitment to ensure that all children have access to the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in the 21st century. It fulfills the promises expressed by the President’s CS for All message. By selecting a computer science teacher, you are encouraging all CS teachers across the U.S. and are supporting them in opening new doors and opportunities for their students.”
Moix, a 1998 ASMSA alumnus, previously taught at ASMSA from 2003-10. He rejoined the school’s faculty during the summer of 2015 to oversee ASMSA’s Coding Arkansas’ Future initiative. The initiative is providing computer science education classes for high school students and teacher professional development opportunities for school districts across the state.
Moix was a teacher at Bryant High School when he was nominated for the award in 2015. As part of the application process, Moix had to complete several projects, including a 12-page narrative that spoke about his teaching background — including how he prepared the course for students, ways he was able to measure how they were learning as well as measuring the effectiveness of student learning and course methods at the end of the course. He also provided a 45-minute video of himself teaching and information on his involvement in the educator community at-large, including within the individual school, district, the teaching profession and the nation.
Moix was nominated for the award by Carl Frank, a fellow ASMSA computer science instructor who taught Moix while he was a student at the school.
He also received help with his application from Marcia Lanier, the library media specialist at Bryant. Lanier had previously worked with educators who sought to become National Board Certified Teachers. The PAEMST application process was similar. As a thank you to Lanier, he is taking her with him on his Washington, D.C. trip.
Moix was one of eight teachers — five mathematics and three science — who were finalists for the award this year. He will be in Washington from Sept. 7-9. The awards dinner will be held Sept. 8. A tour of the White House is also included as part of the trip, he said, although he doesn’t know if he will get to meet the President.
He encouraged all computer science teachers as well as other mathematics and science teachers in Arkansas to apply for the award. Nominations for the next cohort of seventh- through 12th-grade teachers will open this fall.
For more information on the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching and this year’s honorees, visit https://recognition.paemst.org/.