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The Presidential Excellence Award in Teaching Math and Science
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Posted by tapper2 Thu Jun 7, 2007 14:13:49 PDT
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          Hi, my name is Tapp Hancock and I’m the 2006-2007 Presidential Excellence Awardee for Mathematics representing California. This National award is the highest honor any math or science teacher can earn in the United States. I have spent the last ten years applying for this award to enhance my understanding of math methodologies and improve my classroom teaching techniques. It has been a magnificent journey and I would not have substituted any road or taken any detour to reach my goal. During the course of this process I have patented a mathematical system called Han-5 Mathematics; gotten the system supplemental approved through the California State Department of Education; and now see it being used as supplemental teaching resource throughout California, the United States and Internationally. In 2004-2005 I became a California State Finalist for this award, but didn't make the Nationals. I tried out again this year and finally made it! During my stay in Washington, I found out that becoming a State Finalist does not guarantee you a National position. This year only forty-seven states were represented out of our fifty. I am writing this article to encourage all math and science teachers to try out for this award and to tell you about one of the memorable days PAEMST winners got to experience during our stay in Washington.

 

"The Day Ninety-three Presidential Awardees in Math and Science Met the President of the United States and First Lady"

     Thrills, wonder and pride filled our hearts and minds as we walked through the White House during the early morning hours on May 18th 2007.  As we passed by each historical room, roped off by security, we admired the portraits on the walls and thought of our forefathers (and mothers), kings, queens, ambassadors, prime ministers and other important rulers and governmental officials who once occupied each room.

           Later, we found ourselves wandering through the streets of Washington during a spring shower that later led us back to our bus where we were whisked away for our Odyssey cruise. As we departed the bus and approached the dock we were all flabbergasted gazing upon a 240 foot, two level yacht that acclaimed the distinctive atmosphere of a classic ocean liner just waiting for us to board. We met our special guests and then started indulging ourselves with all of the creative cocktails, appetizers, entrées and desserts. The yacht was full of laugher, conversation and musical entertainment, as we cruised up and down the Potomac River. After our wonderful journey on the Odyssey III, we returned back to the dock and traveled back to the White House to take our momentous picture with the President.

            Our second visit to the White House was a little bit different from the first time!  As we unloaded the bus and approached the White House gate, we were first greeted by William Vucci, Captain of the Secret Service and first cousin to Courtney

Quickly. Captain Vucci escorted all of us up to the second level of the White House where we found no security ropes latched to each room. We hesitantly asked him why the ropes were down and he responded, "You are now the special guests of the White House and are free to roam around as you like."  Then lucky Courtney got to have her picture taken with her cousin, she calls Billy, in all the rooms. It was a thrill for all of us to be able to sit in every seat and on every sofa where our past Presidents, their wives, and many other important people in our world had once sat.  Several of us role-played in the "State Dining Room", "Green Room" and "Red Room", while others gathered around the front window of the "Blue Room" gazing out into Thomas Jefferson's eyes inside the Jefferson Memorial.

             Then the time had arrived to meet in the East Room, which by the way is the largest and most formal state reception room in the White House, to have our picture taken. We were warmly greeted by John H. Marburger, III, Director of Science and Technology and Executive Officer to the President and Raymond Simon, Deputy Secretary of Education.  As we got into our posed positions, both gentlemen strolled around us shaking our hands and telling us, "Congratulations." Then we heard footsteps tapping down the hallway. All of us started cheering and clapping when we saw First Lady Laura Bush enter the room. She said, "Congratulations to all of you. I appreciate all that you do." Then she asked all of us how our week had been and were we enjoying our stay in Washington. Laura Molenaar spoke up and said, "Mrs. Bush, you are one of my heroes." Mrs. Bush responded, "You are all my heroes!" Then the First Lady walked over to us and got into her position for the picture. Beth Lewis had the once in a life time opportunity to chat with Lady Bush for a few minutes.

  This was her conversation with her:

  Mrs. Bush: "How has your week been?"

  Beth: "We have been treated like royalty and fed well. This week has made all of us feel so special and important."

  Mrs. Bush: "What kinds of activities and Professional Development trainings have you attended?"

  Beth: "We attended trainings at the National Science Foundation on

Tuesday and heard speeches from our top scientists, mathematicians, and engineers."

  Mrs. Bush: "What other places have you visited in Washington?"

Then their conversation was interrupted by all of us cheering and clapping again when the President entered the East room. What a proud moment it was to be in one room with the President of the United States, the First Lady and 93 exemplary math and science teachers.  We had all done it!  We had all earned it!  And together we were being honored by the leader of our Nation and the First Lady for all we do in education!

             President Bush said, "The number one rule to a successful marriage is to never keep your wife waiting. I have failed that part." Mrs. Bush responded, "You left me in good hands."

The President continued and said, "I agree. Thank you for what you do and welcome to the White House. This is the house of the people, your house. It is a large museum that needs a lot of love and warmth to make it a home. Laura provides that for us. I want to commend you on having one the noblest professions we have in this great Nation. You are the ones who shape the minds of our future. Math and Science are crucial subjects for the welfare of our country and for its future leaders.  This leaves me with great concern on how we can effectively prepare our nation for the 21st century to remain competitive with the rest of the world, China, Korea. I am afraid America is drifting off, so I have formed a Math Advisory Panel to investigate how we can best approach this critical problem.  Thank you for all your hard work with this endeavor, your dedication, and all that you do.  Later you will be able to watch Laura and I leave on the Marine One. We are going to travel down to Texas for a culture retreat." Mrs. Bush spoke up and said, "We also have a meeting with NATO." President Bush replied, "I will be outside then!" (jokingly)

                 As President Bush walked over and took his place, he noticed Deb Bradburn crying and said to her, "Don't cry. I need to thank you." Then he smiled. The White House photographer began snapping our picture a couple of times. Afterwards, the paparazzi entered the room for about 10-20 seconds.  Popping and flashing of lights took place for about 25-30 pictures leaving us with blue light specials. Where all those pictures ended up... who knows? (I guess we looked too professional and didn't classify for the evening news!)  While the President's aides escorted the paparazzi outside the door, President Bush turned around to us and shook some of our hands on the first and second row and said, "Thank you for all you do."  Jennifer Williams told the President that she was from Louisiana. He commented back to her, "I go there a lot."  Then he returned back to Jennifer and said, "We are going to make things better."  Mrs. Bush also shook some of our hands while commenting that she appreciated our dedication and devotion to teaching.

              After they left the room, we were allowed to walk back through the "Green Room" onto the South Lawn balcony. Below us were some injured soldiers from Desert Storm and their families. Many of them were either in wheelchairs or on crutches.

              We stood there proudly looking into Jefferson eyes, when we started hearing the thumping, heart-felt pumping vibrations of the Marine One flying towards us on the South Lawn. As it landed, the white cherry blossoms and yellow leaves from the magnolia trees started flying around like confetti. It was momentous moment I will cherish forever!

              We continued to wait a few more minutes. Then Mr. and Mrs. Bush came out of the White House below us. We watched the President shake the injured soldiers' hands and kiss one injured young lady on her head as he walked towards the helicopter.  When he got to the helicopter, he turned around and waved to the crowd and then he looked at us on the balcony and waved his hands back and forth and saluted us. WOW! What a thrill it was to watch the Marine One take off once again and see the petals and leaves of confetti celebrating our injured soldiers below us and congratulating our accomplishment.

            None of us wanted to leave after all that, but all good things must come to an end. As Dr. Celeste Pea, Director of the PAEMST, and I walked out the White House she said to me, "By becoming a Presidential Awardee, new paths will open up and when they do, you will have to think critically about what you say and do and always remember that you are being observed as a model teacher and a model for how teaching should be. Additionally, overnight you may become "a leader" and "an expert" in math or science and gain increased respect from many stakeholders in your community. This will be the time for you to plant new seeds about teaching and learning and to use what you learned to help other improve as well. In all the years I have come to the White House to honor our Awardees, I have never witnessed the welcome and warm hospitality we received today. This is good as it gets!" 
             For more information about trying out for this prestigious award go to http://www.paemst.org. It is a tremendous experience that every teacher should be given and I look forward to reading about your exciting adventure when you become our next Presidential Excellence Award Math or Science winner!

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