MEDIA RELEASE

Yannabah Lewis and John Constantinou receive Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching

HONOLULU – Two teachers from the Big Island were named recipients of the prestigious Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). Yannabah Lewis, a math teacher at Kealakehe High School and John Constantinou, a science teacher at Kea‘au High School will be among 101 teachers nationwide who will be honored at a White House ceremony later this year.

“These teachers are setting examples for their students, future teachers, and also for the State of Hawai‘i as they strive for excellence in the classroom,” said Governor Lingle. “Math and science are extremely important in today’s technologically advanced world as we prepare our students with the skills they need for their future careers in the 21st Century global community.”

The PAEMST is administered by the National Science Foundation (NSF) on behalf of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and recognizes outstanding teachers for their contribution to the teaching and learning of mathematics and science. This award is the Nation’s highest honor for teachers of mathematics and science. Since 1983, more than 4,000 teachers have received the PAEMST. Winners are selected by a panel of scientists, mathematicians and educators after an initial selection process at the state level.

In May 2010, Governor Lingle attended a PAEMST recognition luncheon that honored the six Hawai‘i state-level PAEMST finalists, including:

• Malcolm Cogbill, Stevenson Middle School (science)
• John Constantinou, Kea‘au High School (science)
• Jami Muranaka, Kaimuku High School (science)
• Yannabah Lewis, Kealakehe High School (mathematics)
• Charles Souza, Stevenson Middle School (mathematics)
• Lance Suzuki, Maryknoll School (mathematics)

In addition to an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., Lewis and Constantinou will receive a certificate signed by President Barack Obama and a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation to be used at their discretion.