North High Science Teacher Receives Presidential Award

Jessica Gogerty, North High School science teacher, is a recipient of the prestigious Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST).

Gogerty, along with 102 other mathematics and science teachers, will receive her award in Washington, D.C. later this year. She was named one of four finalists from Iowa for the PAEMST award last summer.

The Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching is awarded annually to the best pre-college-level science and mathematics teachers from across the country. The winners are selected by a panel of distinguished scientists, mathematicians, and educators following an initial selection process done at the state level. Each year the award alternates between mathematics and science teachers teaching Kindergarten through 6th grade, and those teaching 7th through 12th grades. This year it goes to teachers teaching 7th through 12th grades.

Winners of this Presidential honor receive a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation to be used at their discretion. They also receive an expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. for an awards ceremony and several days of educational and celebratory events, including visits with members of Congress and science agency leaders.

Last spring at the National Academy of Sciences, President Obama called on all Americans to join the effort to elevate science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education as a national priority.

“Jessica’s dedication to her students is evident in everything she does,” said Crista Carlile, science curriculum coordinator for Des Moines Public Schools. “She is constantly reinventing her teaching to make things more relevant and interesting for her students. She is a phenomenal leader as well, collaborating with and coaching her colleagues in the spirit of continuous improvement.” 

Gogerty has been teaching in Des Moines Public Schools for 22 years. She is completing her 13th year at North High School where she teaches ninth grade physics. The Iowa math teacher receiving the PAEMST is Matt Miller of Washington High School, Cedar Rapids.