Downtown, Perkins Home to Finalists for Top Math Teaching Award
Zac Christensen, the math leader at Perkins Elementary and one of Iowa’s three finalists for the PAEMST.
There was a surprise party in the library after school last Thursday at Perkins Elementary. Arranged by principal Danny Koss, it was in celebration of Math Leader Zac Christensen’s selection as one of three Iowa finalists for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math & Science Teaching (PAEMST).
There to present Zac with a memento and cake was Judith Spitzli from the Iowa Department of Education.
But Zac isn’t alone in being a DMPS teacher who is a finalist for this year’s award. The day before, Spitzli visited the Downtown School to make the same presentation to Josie Burg, making DMPS home to two of this year’s three Iowa finalists.
Joining in the celebration at Perkins were Zac’s colleagues there who applauded upon his arrival in the library. “They all work as hard as or harder than I do,” he said. “I love being at Perkins. It’s a privilege to work on this staff and with such a great, diverse bunch of kids.” It’s fair to say the privilege is mutual.
While the party may have come as a surprise, Zac’s selection certainly didn’t. It’s happened before, in 2010. Zac is in his second stint at Perkins, and proud to be a third generation DMPS teacher.
Josie Burg of the Downtown School being honored as a PAEMST finalist by Judith Spitzli of the Iowa Department of Education.
Zac and Josie are two in a long line of DMPS teachers recognized as finalists for the PAEMST. In fact, in 2010 the district was home to all three finalists, and Barb Leise from the Downtown School was ultimately named a national awardee that year.
The Iowa Department of Education annually selects the state finalists from a pool of nominees, and Spitzli says the caliber of applications is steadily rising. The national awardees will be named next spring.
Spitzli says the PAEMST is the highest honor a public school math or science teacher can achieve. Both Josie and Zac are now eligible for a $10,000 cash prize and a trip to Washington, DC where awardees get to meet the President. Established by Congress in 1983, the award program authorizes the bestowal of up to 108 awards each year. Since the award originated, nine DMPS teachers have earned the honor.
Zac, a Johnston native, began his 12th year as a teacher, all of them spent with Des Moines Public Schools. He received his bachelor’s degree from Simpson College and a master’s degree from Viterbo University.
Josie is from Decorah and has taught in Des Moines Public Schools for the past seven years after teaching at St. Patrick’s School in Perry. She holds a bachelor’s degree from UNI and a master’s degree from Drake University.
Zac and Josie – along with Cowles teacher Heather Anderson, a finalist for 2013 Iowa Teacher of the Year – will be honored at an awards luncheon hosted by the Iowa Department of Education later in October.
More information about the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math & Science Teaching is available at www.paemst.org.
