TEAL Doctoral Student receives Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching

Rachel Reeder, a doctoral student pursuing a Ph.D. in mathematics education in the Teacher Education and Leadership department at Utah State University, was recently awarded the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST).  

PAEMST is the highest award given by the U.S. Government to K--12 teachers of mathematics and science. Recipients are selected based on their distinction in the classroom and their dedication to improving science, technology, engineering, and math education. The 2017 and 2018 PAEMST awardees were honored in a ceremony in Washington, D.C. on October 16, where they were able to meet elementary and secondary educators from all over the United States.

Reeder, who has been an educator for 13 years, called the award a “tremendous personal and professional honor.” Reeder graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in elementary and early childhood education and a minor in Spanish teaching, then completed her M.Ed. at Southern Utah University. In addition to pursuing her Ph.D. this semester, she teaches a math methods course for undergraduate education majors.

Among all her research and scholarship in higher education, PAEMST specifically honors Reeder’s role as an elementary educator, the role of which Reeder is most proud. 

“It adds esteem and credibility to my daily labor of love: teaching children mathematics,” she said. “Being there every day and making a difference to students is what really matters to me.”