Alumna Showered with Teaching Awards

By Allison R. Stormo

Katie Pemberton, who graduated from the University of Idaho’s College of Education with a master of education in curriculum and instruction, has been honored with the Idaho Teacher of the Year Award. This follows an impressive two years for the Coeur d’Alene teacher. The Canfield Middle School teacher also received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching for 2011 and was awarded the Coeur d’Alene School District Teacher of the Year for 2012.

Pemberton has taught at Canfield for seven years. As Teacher of the Year, she received an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C. and was a nominee for the National Teacher of the Year..

“I am so incredibly honored. This is the most amazing profession,” Pemberton said during an assembly where Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna made the announcement, according to the Coeur d’Alene Press.

As one of only 97 recipients of the Presidential Award, she also received a weeklong trip to Washington, D.C. It is the nation’s highest recognition of K-12 math and science teachers for outstanding teaching in the United States.

“I am humbled to be associated with such a distinguished group of educators. Teaching is my passion. I feel fortunate to live in a community that values education and to teach in a school district that supports and encourages innovation. The Presidential Award is an incredible honor. I am thankful to my colleagues, students and family for helping me become the teacher I am today,” she said in an announcement when she received the Presidential Award.

As a leader in grant writing and technology use, Katie has received thousands of dollars in technology grants to create her 21st-century mathematics classroom. She provides her students with innovative and technology-rich mathematics lessons. Students are active and engaged in their learning and are required to think critically as they build a strong conceptual understanding of math.

Katie received her bachelor’s degree in education from Eastern Washington University — graduating magna cum laude. She also holds certifications in kindergarten through 12th-grade reading as well as mathematics from kindergarten through ninth grade.

PAEMST finalist

The following COE graduates were selected as Idaho finalists for the 2012 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST), the nation’s highest honor for U.S. science and math teachers in grades kindergarten through 12th grade.

In science:

Tauna Johnson, who teaches at Genesee Elementary School and received her master of education in elementary education in 1993.

In math:

Crystal Silvers, who teaches at Ramsey Magnet School of Science in Coeur d’Alene and received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education in 2005 and her master of education in education leadership in 2011.

Donna Wommack, of Genesee Joint School District, who received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education in 1987 and her master of education in special education in 1996.

For more information on the award, go to www.paemst.org