President George W. Bush honored Science teacher Andrew Gatt, from Ravenscroft School in Raleigh, with the 2004 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, the nation's highest honor for teaching in these fields. Gatt is the only Science winner from North Carolina and one of 95 elementary and middle school teachers nationwide to receive the prestigious award.

In a citation given to Gatt, President Bush commended him "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 an awardee, Gatt received a $10,000 gift from the National Science Foundation (NSF), the independent federal agency that administers the awards program, and an all expenses-paid trip to Washington, DC for this week's celebratory events and professional development activities.

"This award recognizes the contributions that teachers make to America's legacy of progress by encouraging young people to study and understand math and science," President Bush wrote in a letter to all awardees. "With a strong foundation in these critical subjects, today's students will be able to better compete and succeed in the 21st century workforce."

Established by Congress in 1983, the annual presidential awards program identifies outstanding 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-chosen by a panel of leading mathematicians, scientists, and educators in conjunction with the White House-are K-6th grade teachers.

The 2004 PAEMST winners with President George Bush

"These outstanding teachers show us what excellent teaching looks like," said Mark Saul, Ph.D., program director of Elementary, Secondary, and Informal Education at NSF. "They have a passion for
their subject and a dedication to their students. They know how to bring out the best in every student, in every kind of school. We hope their example will stimulate the creativity of other teachers
and help attract new recruits to the mathematics and science teaching profession."

"I try to stress hands-on activities as much as possible, as it really has an impact on the kids and they really enjoy it" said Gatt. "I also encourage them to take projects home with them. For some reason, when they work on stuff outside of the classroom and on their own time, it sinks in so much deeper."

"One hands-on project involving construction really stands out as a winner," Gatt said. "Last year we built a gazebo, and the kids just loved it. The year before that we built a new enclosure for the class's pet iguana."

"I have to confess that I don't really have any secret methods to make kids willing to take risks," said Gatt. "But they see how much I love science, and they pick up on this and feel like they can ask
me just about anything. I never criticize or say a question is silly. With a combination of enthusiasm and trust -- you can do just about anything."

"Being recognized for my teaching has been especially rewarding, both personally and professionally," said Gatt. "I've taken a hard look at my teaching and seen where I'm accomplishing much of what I
set out to do. But I've also seen that I can do so much more and make it that much more enriching for my students."

The week-long celebration in Washington, DC includes an awards ceremony, professional learning opportunities, conversations with leaders in education policy, and opportunities to meet dignitaries
from the executive and legislative branches.

"The most important reward the teachers will receive is the ability to talk with each other, swap ideas, and techniques, and bring everything they learn in DC home to their students," said Saul.

Andrew Gatt is in the middle of the back row.

As a Presidential Awardee, Gatt receives numerous gifts from corporate and government donors, including science and mathematics curricula from the JASON Foundation for Education, an overhead projector from 3M, and a professional development opportunity sponsored by EF Educational Tours, the nation's leader in educational tours and intercultural exchange. In October, all the Presidential Awardees traveled to the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida to participate in the Disney Youth Education Series programs, where the teachers went behind the scenes of the theme parks to examine and explore science, leadership, history, and art.

The National Science Foundation is an independent federal agency that supports fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering with an annual budget of nearly $5.47
billion. NSF funds reach all 50 states through grants to nearly 2,000 universities and institutions. NSF also awards over $200 million in professional and service contracts yearly.

The 2006 Presidential Award nominations are currently open for mathematics and science teachers in grades K-6. Public, private, and parochial school teachers can be nominated by anyone, except themselves. For more information, visit www.paemst.org.