Sharla Steever named

one of two South Dakota teachers among nation’s top educators

WASHINGTON, D.C. – President George W. Bush is honoring science teacher Sharla Steever from Hill City Elementary School with the 2006 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, the nation’s highest honor for teaching in these fields.  Steever was one of only 93 teachers nationwide to receive the prestigious award.

Also awarded the honor from South Dakota was mathematics teacher Sandra Ullrich from Lincoln Elementary School in Aberdeen.

In a citation given to Steever and Ullrich, President Bush commended them “for embodying excellence in teaching, for devotion to the learning needs of the students, and for upholding the high standards that exemplify American education at its finest.”

As awardees, they each receive a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation (NSF), the federal agency that administers the awards program on behalf of the White House, and an all-expenses paid trip to Washington, D.C., for a week of celebratory events and professional development activities.

With innovative lesson plans, Steever teaches, engages and excites her students about science.  “A class favorite is our space unit,” Steever said, “where students learn Earth is one of eight planets that revolve around the sun and begin to grasp the vastness of our solar system.  I think that it is a favorite for my students because of how amazing it is to see the distances between planets.”

As a science teacher, Steever is faced with the challenge of finding ways to engage students with innovative curriculum and making an intimidating subject like science accessible to her students.  “I create as much enthusiasm as I can for our science lessons,” she said, “because when my students are up and moving and shouting out facts about the lessons, their comfort level with science greatly increases.  Once students become comfortable with science, there is no stopping how far they will go!”

In a letter to awardees, President Bush said, “Math and science are critical components of America’s technological and competitive strength.  Through the American Competitiveness Initiative, my administration is working to advance American innovation and support the efforts of teachers by increasing investments in research and development, promoting education in math and science, and encouraging entrepreneurship and technological advances.”

Steever was one of 93 teachers who gathered in Washington, D.C., for the recognition events and professional development activities.  At the National Science Foundation, she took advantage of many of the day’s events.  “We worked with and listened to top scientists share what’s new in technology and science innovation,” Steever said.

She also met with Sen. John Thune and Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin.  “I was able to share some ideas about NCLB and other issues, and hear from them what is new in education,” she said.

Steever met President Bush and the First Lady at the White House.  “The President and First Lady each addressed us about their appreciation for the jobs we do every day,” she said.

 “This week benefited me in so many different ways,” Steever said of the week-long events.  “I now have a network of teachers from around the U.S. to call on for ideas.  They gave us boxes full of resources to use in our classrooms as well as gift certificates to purchase supplies online from a variety of vendors.”

Established by Congress in 1983, the annual Presidential Awards program identifies highly qualified mathematics and science teachers in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Territories and the U.S. Department of Defense schools.  This year’s recipients – recommended for the award by a panel of leading mathematicians, scientists and educators – are K-6 grade teachers.

“These teachers exemplify what President Bush’s American Competitiveness Initiative aims to achieve by raising the bar for math and science education for all students, who are America’s future leaders of innovation,” said John H. Marburger III, Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.

In addition to being exceptional mathematics and science teachers, Presidential awardees also are leaders, mentors and scholars in their community.  As a leader of science education in South Dakota, Steever helped rewrite the state’s science standards and worked with a team of teachers to create and implement a series of standards roll-outs for science educators around the state.

“I went through the application process because the colleague who nominated me saw something I am not sure I even saw,” Steever said.  “Also, I felt it would provide more opportunities to network with incredible teachers and science teachers.”