Rio Americano Teacher Named Finalist for Prestigious National Teaching Award

A science teacher has been named a finalist for a prestigious national award.

Dean Andrew Baird, a physics teacher at Rio, was among six secondary teachers nominated Friday as 2011-12 California finalists for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. The national winners will be named next year by the White House.

Baird has taught physics, computer science and electronics and physical science since 1986 at Rio Americano, according to a news release. He is the recipient of numerous local, state and national recognition awards and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in physics from the University of Michigan and a Master of Science degree in instructional leadership in curriculum and instruction from National University.

The nominees’ applications will now be sent to the National Science Foundation and the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy for additional consideration for the highly esteemed national award that will be finalized next year, officials said.

Baird could not be reached for comment Tuesday and a Rio Americano school official said he is currently out of the country.