CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Two LCSD1 teachers have been nominated as Wyoming finalists for an esteemed education award that only about 100 American teachers receive every year.
Educators from Meadowlark and Pioneer Park elemtary schools have been selected as Wyoming state finalists for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching, or PAEMST. The two teachers were recognized by LCSD1 staff, students and parents Monday night at the district’s board of trustees meeting.
PAEMST is the highest honor the U.S. government bestows on K–12 STEM educators, according to Amy Kassel, secondary math coordinator with LCSD1. As many as 110 educators nationwide may receive the award each year.
Heather Kolde from Meadowlark Elementary and Beth McKay with Pioneer Park Elementary are the finalists for the presidential honor. Kassel said Monday night that the two teachers are “phenomenal.”
“They have to demonstrate their deep content knowledge of mathematics, as well as their ability to motivate and enable students in those areas,” Kassel said.
Wyoming is allowed to nominate three math and three science teachers, Kassel said. Kolde and McKay represent two of Wyoming’s three nominations for the math award.
Other district staff took a moment to comment on the elementary teachers Monday night. Donald Brinkman, principal at Meadowlark Elementary, said there’s more to Kolde “than what you get.”
“Her heart is bigger than anyone in this room,” Brinkman said. “She puts kids first, she takes care of things … and not just the kids that she works with in her classroom, but the kids that work in her building.”
Pioneer Park Elementary Principal Holly Burningham collected comments from other Pioneer Park educators about McKay and shared them at Monday night’s meeting. Other instructors described the math teacher as “dynamic” and “engaging.”
“Beth is an amazing teacher because she is not only an expert at her content, she works hard to make the content interesting to her students,” Burningham said.
Several of McKay’s former students provided comments on her teaching prowess and personality, which Burninghman shared at the board meeting. One said she is “charismatic and fun, and you want to listen to what she has to say.” Another said McKay “is overall the best teacher I’ve ever had.”
“Not only is she kind, but she helps everyone,” one of McKay’s students stated, per Burningham.
A current LCSD1 high school student wrote a glowing review of McKay’s character.
“I think a good teacher makes you want to work hard and be better but also make sure you know it’s OK to fail,” the student wrote, with Burmingham relaying the message. “Mrs. McKay always made me feel like it was safe to fall, because I knew she would help me back up again.”
PAEMST honors are administered by the National Science Foundation. Educators bestowed the award receive $10,000 from the foundation. In 2022, Buffalo Ridge Elementary teacher Willis Williams was a PAEMST winner.
