presidential Award

By Allison R. Stormo

Two UI alumnae have received the 2013 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, the nation’s highest honor for U.S. science and math teachers in grades kindergarten through 12th grade. Tauna Johnson and Donna Wommack, both teachers in Genesee, are among only 102 recipients nationwide. Winners receive $10,000 to use at their discretion and a weeklong trip to Washington, D.C., for an awards ceremony.

Johnson has taught fifth grade at Genesee Elementary School for 24 years.

Johnson’s love of science shows when she organizes hands-on Science Nights for families and community members. She has presented at the district, regional, state and national levels on successfully planning, organizing and conducting community science nights. Johnson represented the University of Idaho at the National Science Foundation’s Graduate STEM Fellows in K-12 Education annual conference in Washington, D.C., where she participated in a poster presentation.

Johnson works to bring new ideas to her district and has written thousands of dollars worth of grants to help her school. These grants helped buy science equipment, funded science field trips for her students and funded iPads and other technology for all elementary classrooms. Her latest grant had elementary students engineer a rinsing/recycling station for the school lunchroom.

Johnson has strong leadership skills and serves on many district committees. She is a region representative for the Idaho Science Teachers Association and a member of the National Science Teachers Association and Northwest Council for Computer Education.

Johnson has a bachelor’s degree in education from Eastern Washington University and a master’s of education from the University of Idaho. She is a kindergarten through eighth-grade certified elementary teacher and a National Board Certified Middle Childhood Generalist.

Wommack has been an educator at Genesee Elementary School in the Genesee Joint School District for 18 years. She taught third grade for the past eight years and has taught first through eighth grade during her time there.

Wommack’s focus is to engage students in enriching, meaningful learning experiences. Her students learn mathematics, science and engineering skills through rocketry, forest research and activities that involve the entire community.

Wommack is a leader in grant writing for her school and has been awarded thousands of dollars for innovative technology and engineering projects that have made a significant impact on the school and community. Recent grants enabled students to work collaboratively to research, design and build a rinsing/ recycling station for the school.

Wommack shares her love of learning by collaborating with staff and serving on leadership committees to develop programs and make decisions that benefit all students.

Wommack has a bachelor’s in education cum laude and a master’s of education in special education from the University of Idaho. She is certified in elementary education. She is a National Board Certified Early Childhood Generalist.