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Stoffregen named one of four state finalists for national teaching award
Already an award-winning educator for Greencastle Middle School, Stacie Stoffregen is now one of four science teachers from across the state who is a finalist for a national prize.
On Thursday, Stacie Stoffregen was named as an Indiana finalist for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.
Stoffregen, along with John Gensic of Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation, Kirstin Milks of Bloomington High School South and Robyn Witty of Roncalli High School, are the four science finalists for the state. Math finalists are Sean Bird of Covenant Christian High School-Indianapolis, David Ferris of Noblesville High School, Diane Rodriguez of Bloomfield Jr./Sr. High School and Richard Ziuchkovski of Anderson High School.
The eight Indiana finalists will now move forward to the national level. Each state may have as many as two award winners from math or science.
Stoffregen has been active in seeking learning opportunities for her students, in recent years having received grants from Energizing Indiana, presented by Duke Energy, and two from the McDonald’s of Central Indiana Making Activities Count (MAC) program.
She was also instrumental in bringing $250,000 to the corporation for STEM education through the DOE Math and Science Partnership program.
Stoffregen also coached the seventh-grade team that won the state title in the eCybermission competition this spring.
In 2015, she was the recipient of a Lilly Teacher Creativity Fellowship.
Indiana finalists underwent a rigorous application process and were selected by a state committee for their outstanding qualifications. All eight finalists will participate in an honor and recognition luncheon this fall.
“Proficiency in mathematics and science is vital to a well-rounded education,” Superintendent of Public Instruction Jennifer McCormick said. “Today we recognize the educators who dedicate themselves to excellence in these subjects and I am extremely proud of our Indiana finalists. They represent our state well.”
The Presidential Awards are the nation’s highest honors for teachers of mathematics and science (including computer science). Since 1983, more than 4,700 teachers have been recognized for their contributions in the classroom and their profession.
Award recipients serve as models for their colleagues, inspiration to their communities, and leaders in the improvement of mathematics and science education.
In addition, recipients receive a certificate signed by the president of the United States, a trip to Washington, D.C., to attend a series of recognition events and professional development opportunities and a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation.