HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – President Joe Biden honored six Hawaii educators with the nation’s highest award for science and math teachers.
The recipients of the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST), announced Tuesday, included:
- Whitney Aragaki, Waiakea High School
- Jessica Barbera, Thomas Jefferson Elementary School
- Michael Ida, Kalani High School
- Gregory Kent, Kailua Elementary School
- Karleen Lynch, Pearl City High School
- Sarah Milianta-Laffin, Ilima Intermediate School
Lynch and Milianta-Laffin were part of the 2023 cohort of awardees; Barbera and Kent were part of the 2022 awardees; and Aragaki and Ida were part of the 2021 cohort.
They are among 336 teachers and mentors from across the country who were nominated by their principals, teachers, parents, students or members of the general public for serving as role models to their colleagues, inspiration to their communities and leaders in the improvement of STEM education.
They’ll each receive a certificate signed by the president, a trip to Washington, D.C., and $10,000 from the National Science Foundation.
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