The PAEMST are the top honors bestowed by the U.S. Government to K-12 STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) teachers. Each year, up to 110 outstanding educators from across the country may be recognized by the White House for their passion, dedication, and impact in the classroom.

Each Presidential Awardee receives a certificate signed by the President of the United States, a $10,000 award from NSF, and an all-expenses paid trip for an award ceremony. In addition, awardees join a national cohort of award-winning teachers, providing opportunities to impact teaching on a state and national scale. The recognition events may include professional development and discussions with policymakers on how to improve science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education. The national awardees for Arkansas are:

2021 PAEMST Mathematics and Science Awardees, Grades 7-12
Math Category: Wesley Davis, Cabot High School

Science Category: Patrycja Krakowiak-Valdivia, Arkansas School for Mathematics, Science, and the Arts

2022 PAEMST Mathematics and Science Awardees, Grades K-6
Math Category: Jamie Ramsey, Jim D. Rollins School of Innovation

Science Category: Courtney Selph, Izard County Elementary School

2023 PAEMST Mathematics and Science Awardees, Grades 7-12
Math Category: Blake Tinsley, Conway High School

Science Category: Mary Maris, Little Rock Central High School

Hosted in Monogahela National Forest in West Virginia since 1963, the NYSCamp is a residential science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) program designed to honor and challenge some of the nation’s rising STEM leaders and provide them with the opportunities to engage with STEM professionals and participate in exciting outdoor activities.

The NYSCamp is offered to each selected participant at no cost so that talented students may attend regardless of their financial ability. The camp will also provide significant opportunities for delegates to interact and engage with STEM professionals, camp staff, and other delegates in exciting, fun and meaningful ways.

Two graduating seniors from Arkansas high schools have been selected as the state delegates for the 2025 National Youth Science Camp (NYSCamp), Joseph Chen of Bentonville High School and Sindia Michael of Arkansas School for Math, Science, and Arts.

Violation of Standard 1. An educator maintains a professional relationship with each student, both in and outside the classroom. Violation of Standard 2. An educator maintains competence regarding his or her professional practice, inclusive of professional and ethical behavior, skills, knowledge, dispositions, and responsibilities relating to his or her organizational position. The Professional Licensure Standards Board requests the State Board of Education order a Suspension of License for 1 year followed by a Probation of License for 2 years and assess a fine of $500. Require Educator to complete the following coursework/readings: Title: The 85% Solution: How Personal Accountability Guarantees Success -- No Nonsense, No Excuses (256p) Author: Linda Galindo ISBN 13: 9780470500163, Title: The Power Paradox: How We Gain and Lose Influence (208p)Author: Dacher Keltner ISBN 10: 0143110292, ERA16066 Bullying: Separating Fact from Fiction (1.5 Credit Hours), ERC23010: Code of Ethics Part Seven: An Educator’s Influence (1 Credit Hour). Require Educator to provide written reflections on each book/training on how they will affect the educator’s communication with students in the future. Quarterly reports while on probation from the educator’s supervisor regarding how her communication with students has improved. (All costs paid by Educator Long)

Violation of Standard 2. An educator maintains competence regarding his or her professional practice, inclusive of professional and ethical behavior, skills, knowledge, dispositions, and responsibilities relating to his or her organizational position. Violation of Standard 7. An educator maintains the confidentiality of information about students and colleagues obtained in the course of the educator's professional services that is protected under state law or regulations, federal law or regulations, or the written policies of the educator's school district, unless disclosure serves a professional purpose as allowed or required by law or regulations. The Professional Licensure Standards Board requests the State Board of Education order a Probation of License for 1 year and assess a fine of $250. Require Educator to complete the following coursework/readings: ERC23007: Code of Ethics Part Four: Professional Responsibilities (1 Credit Hour), ERC23009: Code of Ethics Part Six: Confidentiality (.5 Credit Hour), ERC23010: Code of Ethics Part Seven: An Educator’s Influence (1 Credit Hour), Title: Flipping the Switch: Unleash the Power of Personal Accountability Using the QBQ! (144 p) Author: John G. Miller ISBN 10: 0399152334. Require Educator to prepare written reflections on how each training/book will impact the educator’s professional responsibilities in the future. Quarterly reports from the educator’s supervisor on how her professional responsibilities are progressing. (All costs paid by Educator Hughes)

Violation of Standard 1. An educator maintains a professional relationship with each student, both in and outside the classroom. Violation of Standard 2. An educator maintains competence regarding his or her professional practice, inclusive of professional and ethical behavior, skills, knowledge, dispositions, and responsibilities relating to his or her organizational position. The Professional Licensure Standards Board requests the State Board of Education order a Probation of License for 2 years and assess a fine of $250. Require Educator to complete the following coursework/readings: Anger Management course (as evidenced by completion certificate), ERC23010: Code of Ethics Part Seven: An Educator’s Influence (1 Credit Hour), and Title: Flipping the Switch: Unleash the Power of Personal Accountability Using the QBQ! (144 p) Author: John G. Miller ISBN 10: 0399152334. Require Educator to prepare written reflections on each training/book regarding how they will impact the educator’s future interactions with students and professional practices. Updates from the educator’s supervisor at the end of each semester regarding how the educator’s interactions with students and professional practices are progressing. (All costs paid by Educator Long)

Violation of Standard 1. An educator maintains a professional relationship with each student, both in and outside the classroom. Violation of Standard 2. An educator maintains competence regarding his or her professional practice, inclusive of professional and ethical behavior, skills, knowledge, dispositions, and responsibilities relating to his or her organizational position. The Professional Licensure Standards Board requests the State Board of Education order a Probation of License for 2 years and assess a fine of $250. Require Educator to complete the following coursework/readings: SPC17013 Introduction to Behavior: Behavior Intervention Plans (1 Credit Hour), Title: Classroom Management for Elementary Teachers: 15 Strategies to Manage Challenging Behaviors and Create a Responsive Classroom Author: Freya Fan ISBN-13:979-8461993252, and Title: The 85% Solution: How Personal Accountability Guarantees Success -- No Nonsense, No Excuses (256p) Author: Linda Galindo ISBN 13: 9780470500163. Require Educator to prepare written reflections on each book/training on how they will impact the educator’s future interactions with students and professional practices. Quarterly reports from the educator’s supervisor regarding how the educator’s interactions with students and professional practices are progressing. (All costs paid by Educator Blue)

Violation of Standard 1. An educator maintains a professional relationship with each student, both in and outside the classroom. Violation of Standard 2. An educator maintains competence regarding his or her professional practice, inclusive of professional and ethical behavior, skills, knowledge, dispositions, and responsibilities relating to his or her organizational position. The Professional Licensure Standards Board requests the State Board of Education order a Permanent Revocation of License and assess a fine of $500.

Violation of Standard 1. An educator maintains a professional relationship with each student, both in and outside the classroom. Violation of Standard 2. An educator maintains competence regarding his or her professional practice, inclusive of professional and ethical behavior, skills, knowledge, dispositions, and responsibilities relating to his or her organizational position. The Professional Licensure Standards Board requests the State Board of Education order a Permanent Revocation of License and assess a fine of $500.

Violation of Standard 2. An educator maintains competence regarding his or her professional practice, inclusive of professional and ethical behavior, skills, knowledge, dispositions, and responsibilities relating to his or her organizational position. Violation of Standard 3. An educator honestly fulfills reporting obligations associated with professional practices. The Professional Licensure Standards Board requests the State Board of Education order a Probation of License for 2 years and assess a fine of $250. Require Educator to complete the following coursework/readings: ERC23004: Code of Ethics Part One: Professional Relationships (.5 Credit Hour), ERC23007: Code of Ethics Part Four: Professional Responsibilities (1 Credit Hour), SPC17009 Foundations in Special Education: Legal and Ethical Issues (1 Credit Hour), SPC17010 Foundations in Special Education: Roles and Responsibilities (1 Credit Hour), and Title: Flipping the Switch: Unleash the Power of Personal Accountability Using the QBQ! (144 p) Author: John G. Miller ISBN 10: 0399152334. Require Educator to prepare written reflections on each training/book on how they will impact the educator’s future professional practices. Reports from the educator’s supervisor at the end of each semester regarding how her professional practices are progressing. (All costs paid by Educator Reiss)

Violation of Standard 1. An educator maintains a professional relationship with each student, both in and outside the classroom. Violation of Standard 2. An educator maintains competence regarding his or her professional practice, inclusive of professional and ethical behavior, skills, knowledge, dispositions, and responsibilities relating to his or her organizational position. The Professional Licensure Standards Board requests the State Board of Education order a Probation of License for 1 year and assess a fine of $250. Require Educator to complete the following coursework/readings: ERC23004: Code of Ethics Part One: Professional Relationships (.5 Credit Hour), Title: The 85% Solution: How Personal Accountability Guarantees Success -- No Nonsense, No Excuses (256p) Author: Linda Galindo ISBN 13: 9780470500163, and Title: Flipping the Switch: Unleash the Power of Personal Accountability Using the QBQ! (144 p) Author: John G. Miller ISBN 10: 0399152334. Require Educator to prepare written reflections on each training/book on how they will impact the educator's communication in the future. Quarterly reports from the educator’s supervisor regarding how the educator’s interactions and communication with students are improving and that they remain professional. (All costs paid by Educator Martin)

Violation of Standard 2. An educator maintains competence regarding his or her professional practice, inclusive of professional and ethical behavior, skills, knowledge, dispositions, and responsibilities relating to his or her organizational position. The Professional Licensure Standards Board requests the State Board of Education order a Probation of License for 3 years and assess a fine of $250. Require Educator to complete the following coursework/readings: Code of Ethics Training by PLSB Staff, ERC23005: Code of Ethics Part Two: Mental Health Awareness (.5 Credit Hour), ERC23010: Code of Ethics Part Seven: An Educator’s Influence (1 Credit Hour), Title: The Power Paradox: How We Gain and Lose Influence (208p) Author: Dacher Keltner ISBN 10: 0143110292, and Title: The 85% Solution: How Personal Accountability Guarantees Success -- No Nonsense, No Excuses (256p) Author: Linda Galindo ISBN 13: 9780470500163ERC23004. Require Educator to prepare written reflection on each training/book regarding how the educator will improve his interactions with students in the future due to the PLSB for approval 30 days before the end of the 2025-2026 school year. A letter stating the educator is fit for the classroom submitted by a licensed mental health professional 30 days after the start of probation. Quarterly reports while on probation from the educator’s supervisor regarding the educator’s progress on professional practices. (All costs paid by Educator Shannon)

The Charter Authorizing Panel recommends approval of the request by Exalt Academy of Southwest Little Rock to increase their enrollment cap from 1,080 to 1,880 beginning with the 2025-2026 school year. The Charter Authorizing Panel voted 6-0 to approve the request.