Soja NC finalist for PAEMST award

Heather Soja, AHS Zoo School lead teacher, is a North Carolina finalist for the prestigious Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) award.

The Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching is the highest recognition that a kindergarten through 12th-grade mathematics or science teacher may receive for outstanding teaching in the United States. Enacted by Congress in 1983, this program authorizes the President to bestow up to 108 awards each year. The National Science Foundation administers PAEMST on behalf of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.

Soja currently teaches biology and environmental science at the AHS Zoo School where she also serves as the lead teacher. She holds a bachelors degree in biology from UNC-Wilmington, master’s degree in curriculum and instruction in secondary science education from UNC-Greensboro, and earned national board certification in 2004. She was honored as the West Montgomery High School Teacher of the Year in 2004 and for Asheboro High School in 2007. She was Asheboro City Schools 2007-2008 Teacher of the Year.

Awards are given to mathematics and science teachers from each of the 50 states and four U.S. jurisdictions. The teachers are recognized for their contributions to teaching and learning and their ability to help students make progress in mathematics and science.

In addition to honoring individual achievement, the goal of the award program is to exemplify the highest standards of mathematics and science teaching. Awardees serve as models for their colleagues, inspiration to their communities, and leaders in the improvement of mathematics and science education.