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Updated
03/12/2022
2022 PAEMST Mathematics Finalists
Chelsey Coverdale, a mathematics teacher from Harrisburg, SD has been
teaching for 9 years. She is a 6th grade mathematics teacher at
Harrisburg North Middle School. Chelsey graduated from Augustana College
with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education in 2012 and earned her
Master of Arts in Teaching degree from Morningside College 2018. Chelsey
is a National Board Certified Teacher, an Apple certified teacher, and
has participated in the South Dakota Department of Education SDMath/SDSci
Leadership program.
Jodi Neugebauer, a mathematics teacher from Garretson, SD, has been
teaching for 13 years. She is a 2nd grade teacher at Garretson
Elementary. Jodi graduated from Dakota State University with a
Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education/Special Education in 2008.
Jodi is a National Board Certified Teacher and has participated in South
Dakota Department of Education professional development programs such as
the SDMath/SDSci Leadership program and as a facilitator/leader in
Foundational Math Teacher and Math Circles workshops.
Rebecca Van Roekel, a mathematics teacher from Brandon, SD, has been
teaching for 17 years. She is a 6th grade mathematics teacher at Brandon
Valley Intermediate School. Rebecca graduated from Northwestern College
with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education 2005 and earned her
Masters degree in Curriculum and Instruction in Mathematics from Black
Hills State University in 2009. Rebecca has been a SD Counts Teacher
Leader and currently serves as a Formative Assessment PLC Team Leader in
her school.
2022 PAEMST Science Finalists
Brianna Schmidt, a science teacher from Spearfish, SD, has been teaching
for 8 years. She is a 2nd grade teacher at West Elementary in Spearfish.
Brianna received her degree in Elementary and Special Education from
Black Hills State University in 2014. In her building she a leader in
standards innovation, instructional design, is on the science curriculum
team, and is a STEAM Club Educator. She is a member of the South Dakota
Science Alliance and received a Master Teacher Policy Fellowship with
the American Association of Physics Teachers and American Institute of
Physics.
Tiffany Wolla, a science teacher from Rapid City, SD, has been teaching
for 9 years. She is a 6th grade science teacher at East Middle School in
Rapid City. Tiffany graduated from Black Hills State University in 2013
with a degree in Elementary Education and a Middle School minor. She is
an active member of the East Middle School Building Leadership Team and
had a leadership role in developing the district’s 6th grade science
pacing guide. At the state level Tiffany worked on the SD state science
test review in 2017.
Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching
The Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science
Teaching (PAEMST) is the highest recognition that a kindergarten through
12th grade mathematics or science teacher may receive for outstanding
teaching in the United States. Since 1983, more than 4,000 teachers have
been recognized for their contributions to mathematics and science
education. Awardees serve as models for their colleagues, inspiration to
their communities, and leaders in the improvement of mathematics and
science education.
Presidential awardees receive a citation signed by the President of the
United States, a trip to Washington DC to attend a series of recognition
events and professional development opportunities, and a $10,000 award
from the National Science Foundation.
Anyone--principals, teachers, parents, students, or members of the
general public--may nominate a teacher by completing the nomination form
available on the PAEMST website. For more information, please visit
www.paemst.org. The nomination window will be open this Fall to
recognize 7th – 12th grade mathematics and science teachers. Nominate a
deserving teacher who exhibits a passion for the subject they teach; who
approaches their work with creativity and imagination; and who strives
daily to improve their individual teaching practice.
If you have any questions, please contact:
Allen Hogie Jennifer Fowler
SD PAEMST Mathematics Coordinator SD PAEMST Science Coordinator
Allen.Hogie@k12.sd.us DrRangerJen@gmail.com
605.553.8095 605.431.5438
2020
Presidential Award Recipients Announced!
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Darcy Vincent has been an educator for
13 years. She has spent the last six
years teaching fifth grade mathematics
at Camelot Intermediate School. She
previously taught at Arlington
Elementary School for seven years.
As a customized learning facilitator,
Darcy works to meet the individual needs
of her learners in mathematics. She
facilitates approximately 120 learners
in standards across multiple grade
levels. Her knowledge of content and
standards helps her meet them at their
level. She develops skill-based
playlists which provide for hands-on
activities, group and independent work
and offer voice and choice opportunities
across various learning styles. Darcy
facilitates learners to work at their
own pace and take ownership to meet
their learning outcomes.
Darcy’s passion for mathematics is
evident in her leadership among
colleagues. She previously worked as a
South Dakota Counts teacher leader
during her time at Arlington Elementary.
She spent time in a cohort earning her
master’s degree while leading her
colleagues in implementing the
Investigations mathematics curriculum.
Darcy assisted in coordinating
mathematics nights and informational
meetings on implementing the common Core
State Standards. She currently serves as
a Professional Learning Community
mathematics leader as well as a
Curriculum Committee representative. The
past year, she worked with colleagues in
the district to choose a new mathematics
curriculum. Darcy currently serves as a
member of the South Dakota Council of
Teachers of Mathematics.
Darcy earned a B.S. From Dakota State
University and received her M.S. in
curriculum and instruction from Black
Hills State University. She is certified
in elementary education, career and
technical education, and middle level
education.
Merideth Wald has been a mathematics
teacher in an elementary classroom for
nine years. She has spent those nine
years teaching kindergarten, first
grade, and currently a kindergarten and
first grade combination classroom. All
nine years have been at Black Hawk
Elementary School, which is part of the
Rapid City Area School District.
She strives to create an environment
that is developmentally appropriate for
young mathematicians. She promotes
problem solving and discourse to support
student success. She believes that every
student has the ability to achieve at
high levels and she also understands
that each student does so at their own
pace. Her classroom is an environment
that meets each student exactly where
they are in their own learning
progression.
Marideth continues to find ways to
support student success both in and out
of the classroom. She has served in
several ways at the building, district,
and state levels. She is currently part
of the district Math Leadership Team and
the building Leadership Teams. She has
also been part of the South Dakota Math
Standards Revision Team, the SDMath/SDSci
Leadership program, and also served on
teams to adopt curriculum and create
professional development.
Merideth holds a B.S. in elementary
education from Black Hills State
University, an M.S. in early childhood
education from Capella University, and
an Ed.S in curriculum and instruction
for Capella University. She is currently
a certified elementary teacher.
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Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching
2021 South Dakota State-Level Finalists (mathematics & science)
Mathematics Finalists’ Biographies
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 Brittany Green,
a mathematics teacher from Brandon, SD has been teaching for
11 years. She currently teaches Algebra 1 and Algebra 2 at Brandon
Valley High School.
Brittany graduated from South Dakota State University with a Bachelor of
Science degree in Mathematics with a Specialization in Education in
2009.
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 Mark
Kreie, a mathematics teacher at Brookings High School in
Brookings, SD, has been
teaching for 19 years. He currently teaches Geometry and Advance Algebra
2. Mark graduated from the University of Minnesota – Morris with a
Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics in 2002. Since then, he has earned his
Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Black Hills State
University. Outside of his classroom, Mark has presented sessions at the
NCTM Regional, SD STEM Ed, TIE, and DSU STEAM conferences. He has hosted
a Desmos camp for teachers, served as a virtual math coach, blueprint
writer, and South Dakota Counts instructor for the SD DOE, is serving on
NCTM’s Classroom Resources Committee, and has been active as a Desmos
Fellow. Mark is a SDCTM member and serves on its executive board as the
Vice President.
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 Amy
Schander,
a mathematics teacher from Gayville-Volin, has been teaching
for 20 years. She currently teaches
Trigonometry, Physics,
Geometry, Algebra II, and
Consumer Math in person and Trigonometry, Geometry, and Algebra I
virtually at Gayville-Volin High School. Amy graduated from the
University of South Dakota with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and
Psychology in 1997. She then
pursued an Associate of Science degree as a Physical Therapy Assistant
from Northeast Community College in 1999. In 2001 she earned a Master of
Arts degree in Secondary
Education from the University of South Dakota. Amy has presented
sessions at the SD STEM Ed conference, served as a virtual math
coach, a table Lead for the
Geometry State Standards writing workgroup, a contributor and editor for
Goalbook, a lesson and assessment developer and reviewer for APass
Education Group, and is now serving as a member on the SD DOE Math
Advisory Team. Amy is a SDCTM member and serves on its executive board
as the Secretary.
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Science Finalists’ Biographies
 Michelle
Bartels,
a science teacher from Hamlin Middle School, has been teaching for 20
years. She teaches 6th grade earth science, 8th
grade physical science, and current events. Michelle earned her
bachelor’s degree in teacher education from Mount Marty College in 2000
and her master’s in curriculum and instruction from Black Hills State
University in 2011. Since then she has also completed the K-12 math and
science specialist endorsements from BHSU.
For several years Michelle has been an active member of the SD
Science Teaching Association, currently serving on the board as
President and newsletter co-editor for the organization. She is a
National Geographic Certified Educator and is an EdReports science
content team member.
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 Spencer
Cody,
a science teacher from Edmunds Central School District, has been
teaching 15 years. He currently teaches 7th grade life science, 8th
grade physical science, 9th grade conceptual chemistry/physics, 10th
grade biology, 11th grade chemistry, and 11-12th grade zoology/anatomy
and physiology. Spencer received his bachelor’s in middle and secondary
biology education from Concordia College in 2005, and his master’s in
chemistry education from South Dakota State University in 2010. Spencer
has written and received many grants to support science education in his
district and for teachers around South Dakota. He has a passion for
participating in science research opportunities including Teacher at Sea
journeys, as well as enhancing science curriculum and testing at the
state and national levels. Spencer has also presented at the South
Dakota STEM Ed Conference for many years.
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 Kristen Gonsoir,
a science teacher from Groton Area High School, has taught 28 years. She
currently teaches 10-12th grade general chemistry, 11-12th
grade organic chemistry, and 12th grade physics. Kristen
earned her bachelor’s in chemistry and education in 1992, and her
masters in teaching in learning in 2015, both from Northern State
University. In 2019 she was a Japan-U.S. Fulbright program teacher. The
program focused on utilizing technology to promote global citizenship
with students. At the state level, Kristen has been involved with the
DOE Mentor Teacher program and Science Standards Translations Team. She
has received multiple awards while serving as her district’s debate
coach.
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PAEMST
Background:
The PAEMST program was established in 1983 by the
White House and is sponsored by the National Science Foundation.
The award is the nation’s highest honor for math and science
(including computer science) teachers.
The program identifies outstanding math and science teachers in
all 50 states and four US jurisdictions.
Awardees each receive a $10,000 award, a paid trip
to Washington, DC to attend a week-long series of networking
opportunities and recognition events, and a special citation signed by
the President of the United States.
Incentives to complete the application process:
Three CEU's from the South Dakota Department of Education can also be
earned toward certificate renewal by completing the application process.
To be eligible, a PAEMST candidate must complete all components
of the application process and submit a scorable application that can be
sent on to the state selection committee.
All applicants submitting a scorable application will earn
credit, not just the state finalists whose materials will be sent on to
a national selection panel.
If you have any questions, please contact:
Allen Hogie
Jennifer Fowler
SD PAEMST Mathematics Coordinator
SD PAEMST Science Coordinator
Allen.Hogie@k12.sd.us
Jennifer.Fowler@k12.sd.us
605.553.8095
605.431.5438
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