Mount Pleasant Middle School Teacher Receives Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching

Media Release

Thomas C. Cario Middle School Teacher Receives Presidential Award

Charleston, SC — This week, President Obama named 213 mathematics and science teachers as recipients of the prestigious Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. One of CCSD’s own, Rebecca Strong, a sixth grade science teacher at Cario Middle, was among those to earn this distinction.

The Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) is given to outstanding K-12 science and mathematics teachers from across the country and is among one of the highest forms of recognition a K-12 math or science teacher can earn. Winners are selected by a panel of distinguished scientists, mathematicians, and educators following an initial selection process at the state level.

Each nomination year of the award alternates between teachers in kindergarten through 6^thgrade (2014), and those teaching 7^ththrough 12^thgrades (2015). Strong was one of only two educators selected as a recipient for 2014 in the state of South Carolina.

Strong is in her 28^th year of teaching, having first taught at Laing Middle for ten years, followed by Cario Middle since it opened in 1999. Strong has taught both sixth and seventh grade science, and is now teaching the children of her former students as a result of her long time service in education.

Throughout the course of her career, Strong has led students in various science clubs and has served as science department chairperson for over 14 years. She has also served on school leadership and steering committees, and was involved in the planning of the South Carolina Waterfowl Association’s Camp Leopold. Strong was named the Cario Middle School Teacher of the Year in 2002.

Strong graduated from Kent State University with a B.S. in Biology and a M.A.T. in Secondary Science. She is National Board Certified in Early Adolescence Science and is a member of several organizations including the National Science Teachers Association, the South Carolina Science Council, and the Charleston Reading Council.

“What a tremendous honor it is to have this award bestowed upon one of our educators,” said CCSD Superintendent Gerrita Postlewait.“We are very proud of Rebecca and her exemplary leadership and practices in the classroom.”

Winners of the PAEMST receive a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation to be used at their discretion. Strong and other awardees are invited to Washington, D.C., on September 8 for an awards ceremony, as well as educational and celebratory events, and visits with members of the Administration.

Rebecca Strong Bio

Thomas C. Cario Middle School Website

Contact:  Andy Pruitt 843-937-6583