Palos Verdes Teacher Named Finalist for Presidential Award

A Palos Verdes educator is one of two Southland teachers named today state finalists for 2015 Presidential Awards for mathematics and science teaching.

Jill Grace of Palos Verdes Intermediate School was named a finalist for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science Teaching. She has been teaching for 16 years, and is also a lecturer for the Science Education Department at Cal State Long Beach.

Katharine Clemmer of El Segundo High School was one of five teachers across the state named a finalist for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics Teaching. Clemmer has been a teacher for 22 years, and previously worked at Loyola Marymount University, according to the state Department of Education.

Five teachers were named as finalists in each category.

“These remarkable teachers are dedicated, passionate, knowledgeable and use innovative teaching methods that help prepare our students to thrive in a world in which technology changes at a breathtaking pace,” said state Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson. “They are helping to turn our students into problem-solvers who can be the innovators and inventors of tomorrow.”

The state Department of Education, California Science Teachers Association and California Mathematics Council recruited and selected nominees for what’s considered the highest recognition in the nation for a math or science teacher.

State finalists were selected by a review panel of their peers who reviewed each candidate’s content knowledge, effectiveness, achievement results and professional involvement.

City News Service