ST. LOUIS — A science teacher in the Clayton School District and a math teacher from the Belleville School District are headed to the White House to be honored for their dedication to their students.
The teachers are two of the 140 teachers nationwide that will be awarded the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, which honors outstanding teaching of STEM for students K-12.
Christina Hwande is a science teacher for kindergarten through fifth-grade students at Ralph M. Captain Elementary School in Clayton. In her time at the school, she has incorporated outdoor education opportunities and technology integration.
Reginald Duncan, a fifth-grade math and science teacher at Wingate Elementary School, was honored as well. Duncan has implemented STEM lessons by inviting guest teachers like engineers from IDOT to his classes.
In addition to his work in the classroom, Duncan has served a consultant on various projects for the Illinois State Board of Education.
Hwande, Duncan and all the other winners will receive a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation, which manages the PAEMST programs on behalf of the White House.
