Horrell Hill Elementary Teacher Wins Presidential Award

Saudah Collins, a teacher at Horrell Hill Elementary School, is among 95 elementary and middle school teachers from across the country honored in Washington April 11-15 as recipients of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science teaching, the highest honor for teaching in these fields.

"These teachers embody the essence of outstanding teaching," said State Superintendent Inez Tenenbaum. "They are gifted innovators who bring passion to the classroom, igniting a fire for learning among their students. I applaud their dedication to teaching and learning and commend them on this prestigious honor."

In a letter to all honorees, President George W. Bush wrote: "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. With a strong foundation in these critical subjects, today’s students will be able to better compete and succeed in the 21st Century workforce."

Collins teaches science laboratory in grades one through five and also academically advanced program math and English language arts fourth-graders. A nine-year teaching veteran, she sponsors the Eagles Explorers Math and Science Club, the award-winning All-Health Team and the Environmental studies-school recycling program.

Awardees receive 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 for this week’s celebratory events and professional development activities. Awardees receive numerous gifts from corporate and government donors. Later this year, the teachers will travel to Orlando, Florida, to participate in the Disney Youth Education Series programs, where they will go behind the scenes of the theme parks to examine and explore science, leadership, history and art.

The NSF 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 more than $200 million in professional and service contracts yearly.

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- sixth-grade teachers.