Five Montana school teachers have been selected as state finalists for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST), which is the nation's highest honor for U.S. mathematics and science teachers in grades kindergarten through 12. 

A committee of Montana science and math teachers selected the five teachers from a pool of over 85 nominees statewide.

The 2009 finalists are: Margaret Aukshun, Math, Billings West High School, Billings; Catherine Frazer, Science, Absarokee Public Schools, Absarokee; David McDonald, Science, Sidney High School, Sidney; Robyn Nuttall, Math, C.S. Porter Middle School, Missoula; and LeAnne Yenny, Math, Sacajawea Middle School, Bozeman

A press release states that PAEMST finalists have been shown to devote more time to professional development, to incorporate innovative approaches into their classroom teaching, and to be more likely to use computers and other technologies in their classrooms. 

Awardees must complete a rigorous application process that incorporates video footage of classroom lessons along with substantial written documentation of impacts on student achievement.

Each of the five teachers is now eligible to become one of Montana's two state Presidential Award winners, to be announced in the spring of 2010.

Each year, a national panel of distinguished scientists, mathematicians, and educators names up to 108 teaches to receive Presidential Awards-one math teacher and one science teacher from each state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. territories, and the schools operated in the United States and overseas by the Department of Defense Education Agency.

Teachers who are selected as Presidential Awardees receive a $10,000 award, a Presidential citation, and a trip to Washington, D.C. for a series of recognition events, information exchange programs, and an awards ceremony.