by Carrie Moritz, Gazette
In March, Garretson Elementary teacher Jodi Neugebauer received notification that she was one of three state-level finalists for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST).
"Jodi Neugebauer is one of three K-6 mathematics teachers selected to represent our state's best," stated Allen Hogie, SD PAEMST Mathematics Coordinator. "As a State-Level Finalist, Jodi is automatically a candidate for the National Presidential Award. The teacher selected as the state's Presidential Awardee will be notified officially by the White House. This will take place after a national committee reporting to the National Science Foundation makes its selection from the state-level finalists submitted by each state."
Patience is then required, as notification of the award winners is not quick.
"I may not know the results until summer, but it is an honor to be a finalist," said Neugebauer.
The selected teachers are then invited to Washington, D.C. for a recognition event, and honored by the White House and the Administration.
"She was nominated because someone thought she was a teacher who exhibits a passion for the subject she teaches; who approaches her work with creativity and imagination; and who strives daily to improve her practice," said Hogie.
Neugebauer is an extraordinary teacher, who has been teaching since 2008, with virtually all of that time in the second grade in Garretson. She was recognized as a Teacher of the Year by the Garretson American Legion Henry G Fix Post #23 and District 7 American Legion in 2015, is National Board Certified, and receives regular accolades from fellow educators and parents.
In her teaching, Neugebauer tends to use themes and teach across curriculums with plenty of real life and hands on learning, engaging her students with different learning styles.
"I love teaching and everything I do is for the students," said Neugebauer. "I want my classroom to be as interactive and hands-on as possible. I want students to have fond memories of learning and going on different adventures throughout the year even though we rarely leave the classroom. I teach the students that our imagination can take us anywhere. I strive to use my creativity when planning my lessons so students want to come back to school and learn more!"
Upon finding out she was nominated, Neugebauer was also asked to send a video of her teaching, which she recorded during "Arctic Week."
For this lesson, Neugebauer said, "We were collecting data using temperatures, telling time, and reading data from experiments but a large focus is in measuring using inches and centimeters. The lesson I recorded was measuring icicles (paper) to the nearest inch and half inch and then comparing and contrasting the measurements."
The theme lasted over the week and through different subjects.
"We were scientists that spent a week in Antarctica and got to use our lab coats and different experiments and activities," Neugebauer continued. "The students also worked with other “scientists” who would leave different tasks for them overnight. For example, the icicles that we measured were collected overnight by the other scientists.
"I find that when I make the activity real world and when the students get to “work” for someone else they are highly engaged and motivated. It makes it a fun learning environment. While in Antarctica, students of course get to meet some penguins through reading activities such as Mr. Poppers Penguins, along with researching different types of penguins and writing research papers about them to share with the scientists they are working for."
She also answered a series of questions that revolved around five aspects of learning, which included purpose, student engagement, curriculum and pedagogy, assessment for student learning, and classroom environment and culture.
"I had the opportunity to answer a series of questions based around each of these dimensions to prove what I was teaching, how it aligned with the scope and sequence of the year, the standards that I am required to teach along with how I assess the students, engage the students and build my classroom environment and culture," Neugebauer said.
"PAEMST is the highest recognition that a kindergarten through 12th grade mathematics or science teacher may receive for outstanding teaching in the United States," states the PAEMST website (PAEMST.org). "Since 1983, more than 4,000 teachers have been recognized for their contributions to mathematics and science education. Awardees serve as models for their colleagues, inspiration to their communities, and leaders in the improvement of mathematics and science education. Presidential awardees receive a citation signed by the President of the United States, a trip to Washington DC to attend a series of recognition events and professional development opportunities, and a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation."
Neugebauer, along with the other two state-level finalists, will also be recognized in South Dakota at a STEM Ed conference in Huron towards the end of February 2023.
When asked about Neugebauer, Elementary Principal Teresa Hulscher responded, "Any Garretson student who has had Jodi Neugebauer as their second grade teacher, has benefited from her creativity and passion for teaching math and science. She models life-long learning to her students with continual professional development and provides opportunities for project-based learning, problem-based learning, and invention and collaboration. She is very deserving of this honor and Garretson students are lucky to learn with her enthusiasm for teaching."
Anyone--principals, teachers, parents, students, or members of the general public--may nominate a teacher by completing the nomination form available on the PAEMST website. For more information visit www.paemst.org.
