Cynthia Knowles, a math teacher at Eisenhower Senior High School, was named a state finalist for the prestigious Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) earlier this spring.

Knowles and the two other finalists were honored by the State Board of Education during the spring semester in Austin where they were introduced to Board members and awarded a glass rendering of the State of Texas.

Knowles was very moved and excited after being named a state finalist.

“It was awesome to be named a finalist!” exclaimed Knowles. “Every day I try to give my students the best education possible. So, yes, it is nice to be recognized. But this has also been very humbling when I think of the many deserving teachers I work with and have met. It’s truly an honor to have been chosen as a state finalist.”

As a state-level finalist (the local selection committees select up to three finalists from mathematics or science for recognition at the state level), she is automatically a candidate for the national competition where the National Science Foundation convenes a national selection committee composed of prominent mathematicians, scientists, and mathematics/science educators that reviews the state finalists’ applications and recommends up to two finalists in mathematics or science for each state or jurisdiction to the National Science Foundation.

The overall winner for the state of Texas will be notified of his or her selection by the White House and will receive $10,000 and a trip for two to Washington, D.C. where Presidential awardees will be honored at a variety of recognition events.

To read more about PAEMST or how you can nominate exceptional mathematics or science teachers for the award, visit www.paemst.org.