North Harford Teacher Wins Presidential Award For Math, Science

HARFORD COUNTY, MD — A Harford County educator was among four statewide winners of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.

Elizabeth Brown of North Harford High School was chosen for the award, the highest honor given by the U.S. government to math and science educators who teach kindergarten through 12th grade.

The selection process for the distinction is facilitated by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and the National Science Foundation, with President Donald J. Trump announcing the awardees this week.

Teachers across the nation were chosen based on their performance in the classroom and dedication to improving science, technology, engineering, and math education.

Four teachers were chosen in each state, the District of Columbia, and from schools in the U.S. territories of Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands.

Here are the winners of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching from Maryland:

• Elizabeth Brown, North Harford High School
• Justin Bright, Boonsboro High School
• Denise Kresslein, Westminster West Middle School
• Raymond Weber, Salem Avenue Elementary

Brown was previously named a finalist for the award, according to the Harford County Public Schools Office of Science.

She tweeted that she was "feeling very honored" to receive the recognition as she headed to Washington, D.C., to receive the award Wednesday, and she thanked her professors at Alfred University in New York and Montana State University, where she credited the chemistry and education programs with helping her get where she is today.

— By Gus Saltonstall and Elizabeth Janney