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Two Indiana teachers were named finalists for the 2005 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.
One of those teachers is Jane Hunn, Tippecanoe Valley Middle School science teacher.
"These teachers are critical to the later success of our students - both in college and in the workforce. We are proud those at the national level are recognizing the hard work and efforts of Indiana teachers," said Dr. Suellen Reed, Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction, in a press release from the Indiana Department of Education.
Hunn was nominated for the prestigious award by TVMS Principal Earl Richter.
"No. 1," Richter said, "she's one of the teachers that go above and beyond." Hunn, he said, has interesting class activities, is very involved in science teacher associations and takes an interest in students' activities outside the classroom including science, soccer and ultimate frisbee clubs. Hunn also is a member of the Tippecanoe Valley School Corp. improvement team.
Karen Rogers, science consultant with the Indiana Department of Education, said anyone can nominate a science or math teacher for the award if they believe the teacher exemplifies excellence in the classroom.
If Hunn becomes an Indiana awardee, she will receive an expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., to attend the national award ceremony, Rogers said. She will receive recognition certificates signed by the President, meet with leaders in government and education and participate in workshops to share ideas and teaching experiences.
This is Hunn's third nomination for the award. The first time, she was not a finalist. The last time, she was a finalist but not an awardee.
"It could happen that I'm (just) a finalist again this year," said Hunn.
Just being nominated feels good, she said. Winning could mean a monetary award to help buy science supplies the school couldn't buy otherwise. Winners will receive a grant of $10,000 from the National Science Foundation to use at their discretion to promote math and science education in their school.
"This is a really prestigious thing," said Rogers. "Once you are an awardee, you're an awardee for life."
Rogers said Hunn is a good choice for the award. "I personally know Jane very well and I can see without doubt why she was selected."
Hunn has taught for Valley Schools since 1977. Hunn said she comes from a family of teachers and there were three different moments in her life that inspired her to become a science teacher.
First, before her schooling, she saw a man perform programs much like that of Mr. Wizard that she thought were "so cool." At that time, he had a solar-powered radio - very ahead of its time.
Next, in high school, she had excellent chemistry teachers. And then in college, she had two good professors, she said, "that made me want to learn more," keep up her curiosity, and were upfront on what Hunn would learn.
She was offered her first teaching job at the middle school in Akron two weeks before school started. When she began teaching at TVMS, she chose to teach eighth grade. "At that point," she said, "physical science was my first preference and I went with that." Physical science is taught to eighth graders.
Her enthusiasm for science shows. She likes teaching science because, "It's hands on." There's not always an experiment, but there always is an activity, whether that's observing or measuring. And science, she said, offers more of a challenging discussion. "For me, it's more of an active classroom. I like labs as much as the kids."
She pursues science outside of the classroom, too.
Hunn served on the board for the Hoosier Association of Science Teachers Inc. and now is on the convention committee. She's attended workshops sponsored by the National Science Teachers Association. Like her students who are continually learning, Hunn said she takes classes as well, whether that's a summer class or a workshop.
But Hunn doesn't limit her interaction with students to school hours. She runs various clubs, such as the soccer club and the new ultimate frisbee club she started at TVMS. The science club offers science activities and field trips that don't fit into the regular curriculum, such the Barbie Bungee Jump, making soda pop from scratch, a "crime scene" investigation or trips to the Purdue cancer lab.
Her active life still allows for free time for Hunn, she said. And her life is a demonstration of her own philosophy.
"I believe every student can achieve. It's a matter of finding what sparks their interest," she said. Some students think they can't do this or that activity, but Hunn said she wants to help them get past the "can't" and to achieve.
For students to continue to excel in science, Hunn said science needs to be pushed nationally like it was in the early 1960s. And while the gap between girls and boys in science is closing, it needs to be closed even more.
"We need more girls in science club," she said.
State-level finalists will be honored at a luncheon Oct. 7 at the Radisson Hotel City Centre, Indianapolis. They automatically are candidates for the national-level Presidential Award. National winners will be announced in early 2006.
The PAEMST award is the nation's highest commendation for K-12 math and science teachers.
For more information on the award, visit online at www.paemst.org
