Two Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts educators have been named state finalists for the 2023 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.
Tracy Watson, a mathematics instructor, and Dr. Patrycja Krakowiak, a life sciences instructor, were selected for this year’s finalists for the program that recognizes outstanding mathematics and science teachers who have demonstrated a commitment to professional development, innovative teaching techniques and use of technology in their classrooms. Seven Arkansas teachers overall were named state finalists.
The program is sponsored by the National Science Foundation on behalf of The White House. Each year a national committee of scientists, mathematicians and educators recommends up to 108 teachers to receive the PAEMST awards in mathematics, science and computer science. Winners are chosen from each state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. territories and schools operated in the United States and overseas by the Department of Defense Education Activity.
Teachers who are selected as national PAEMST awardees receive a $10,000 award, a presidential citation and a trip to Washington, D.C., for a series of recognition events, professional development activities and an awards ceremony.
Watson is one of three mathematics state finalists while Krakowiak is one of four science state finalists. This is the first time Watson has been selected as a state finalist. Krakowiak was also selected as a state finalist in the science category in 2021, but the national winners of the award for that cycle have not yet been announced.
Watson said it is an honor to be recognized for doing what she loves: teaching mathematics. She recognized the contributions of others that helped her reach this level.
“I could not have earned this honor without outstanding mentors, dedicated colleagues, supportive administrators and motivated students who challenge me each day to do better,” Watson said. “By being a state finalist, I know that I’m on the right path to creating an inclusive, encouraging classroom environment. But my work is not done. My students are constantly changing, and I need to continue to adjust my instruction to support every one of them on their learning path to success.”
Among those mentors is Watson’s husband, Corey Boby, who was a 2019 PAEMST awardee.
“When I found out I was named a state finalist, I immediately shared the news with my mentor, who happens to be my husband, because I couldn’t have achieved this great honor without his mentorship and support. Over the past 25 years, I’ve been lucky to have a partner in life and career who shares the same passion for teaching mathematics as I do. We’ve had countless discussions about the impact of our decisions about content, instructional delivery and assessment to improve student learning. I would not be the teacher I am today (or tomorrow) without his support,” she said.
Krakowiak said she was honored and excited to be nominated a second time as a state finalist. It reassured her that the approaches and methods she uses continues to be valued as excellent examples of how to capture students’ interest, motivate them to search and grow, and inspire them to achieve at the highest possible levels.
“It makes me feel that I am teaching in a way that is nationally recognized for its innovation and excellence,” she said. “Because it is such an intensive process overall, becoming a finalist has been especially satisfying.
“By applying for PAEMST, I learn so much more about myself and my teaching strategies. In fact, I find out that the methods I work so hard on and innovations I implement in my classes are exactly what needs to be happening according to state and national standards. I give myself an opportunity to reflect on and improve what has not been working and enhance what seems to get students excited. I really do enjoy a challenge, especially if it makes me a more effective teacher.”
The program’s application process is intensive. Educators must pick a topic on which to develop several lesson plans, hands-on activities and extensive studies. They must also record themselves teaching a class on the topic using all of the engagement tools and student discussions that they would normally implement to enhance student learning.
Watson said the application process allowed her to reflect on her own teaching process.
“The application process challenged me to reflect deeply on every decision I make as a teacher,” Watson said. “For four months, I analyzed the lesson that I chose to record, scrutinized the questions I asked students during the lesson and dwelled on the answers I gave to student questions. I was challenged to look hard at myself and face my missteps with a lens of ‘doing better next time.’
“Before this process, I always strived to teach ‘the perfect lesson,’ but it always eluded me. Now I realize that ‘the perfect lesson’ is actually not attainable. Every day in the classroom is a unique interaction among a group of diverse math learners, which includes me. There is no single, perfect way to explain a concept that will ‘ring true’ to every student. But this doesn’t mean that my instruction can’t be improved to increase student learning.”
Both educators said having such a program available to recognize teachers is important, especially as the profession continues to adapt to an everchanging landscape.
“It has become clear in the past few years that teaching is one of the toughest careers to persist in as is clear by such a large number of teachers leaving and the often overwhelming teacher shortages,” Krakowiak said.
“As a society, we have lost sight of how to best support and help teachers in this truly challenging profession. Therefore, more than ever, rewarding the hard work, creative approaches and continued passion among excellent educators is absolutely critical to help motivate, retain and draw highly qualified and resilient individuals to teaching.”
“Teachers are not the ‘sage on the stage,’” Watson said. “They are knowledge guides whose goal is to offer each student a supportive learning environment by building a relationship which opens a path to motivate and enable a diverse group of students to be successful. Teaching is not a stagnant career but an ever-evolving profession that can change a life.