Champion Teacher a Finalist For Presidential Award

Science teacher Sureka Taylor of the Champion Middle School in Stone Mountain is a finalist for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science.

The DeKalb county school district announced Thursday that Taylor is one of three educators in Georgia in the running for the award, the U.S. government's highest honor given for teaching in K-12 mathematics and science, including computer science.

Principal Angelique Smith said in the district's release that Taylor is "a rare jewel in education."

“As a scientist, she ensures that all of her students are also
scientists and love learning. She is not just a teacher; she is an
incredible facilitator of knowledge, a leader and a high performer. She
believes in every student, and they believe in her. It was my honor to
nominate her for this award. She is a beacon for The Champion School, the
DeKalb County School District, Georgia and the United States. It was
important that we shared her great works with the state and hopefully, the
nation.”

The district said the awards, administered by the National Science Foundation (NSF) on behalf of The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, are given to mathematics and science teachers from each of the 50 states and four U.S. jurisdictions.

National winners receive a certificate signed by the President and a $10,000 award from NSF. Awardees and their guests also attend an awards ceremony and other events in Washington, D.C.