Exeter, Hampton, Londonderry Teachers Are Finalists For Presidential Awards For Excellence

CONCORD, NH — Exeter, Hampton, and Londonderry educators have been named state finalists for the prestigious Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.

The teachers — Jessica Girvan, a science teacher at Londonderry High School in Londonderry; Brian Gray, a computer science and technology teacher at Hampton Academy; Govan Baird, a science teacher at Exeter High School; and Michael Shore, a mathematics teacher at Exeter High School in Exeter, will all move forward to the national level. There, they will be eligible to receive the national award, the highest honor for K-12 science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and computer science educators.

“State finalists embody the very best of New Hampshire’s educators,” Commissioner Frank Edelblut of the New Hampshire Department of Education said, “serving as both role models and sources of inspiration for their students and colleagues. These four exceptional teachers understand the importance of engaging and innovative instruction, and we celebrate their well-earned recognition and dedication to STEM education.”

The New Hampshire Department of Education noted Thursday that Gray was also a finalist for the 2025 New Hampshire Teacher of the Year.

Each national awardee receives a certificate signed by the President of the United States, a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation, and an all-expenses-paid trip to an award ceremony in Washington, D.C. The department said the awardees will also join a national cohort of award-winning teachers, providing opportunities to impact teaching on a state and national scale.

Do you have a news tip? Please email it to tony.schinella@patch.com. View videos on Tony Schinella's YouTube.com channel or Rumble.com channel. Follow the NH politics Twitter account @NHPatchPolitics for all our campaign coverage.