6 DoDEA Educators Selected as PAEMST State Finalists

Six outstanding K-6 teachers from DoDEA schools have been chosen as state finalists for the prestigious Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) for 2024.

PAEMST is the highest honor given by the U.S. government specifically for K-12 science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) teaching. It recognizes exceptional educators who have significantly impacted their students' learning. PAEMST alternates recognition between K-6 and 7-12 grade teachers each year.

Congratulations to the six selected DoDEA educators:    

“Recipients of the PAEMST demonstrate deep content knowledge of the subjects they teach and the ability to motivate and enable student success. We are so proud of these six finalists for representing DoDEA in this prestigious award,” said Dr. Patricia McDonald, Headquarters instructional systems specialist (ISS) for prek-5 math.

Each finalist endured an evaluation process where they demonstrated excellence in each of the five Dimensions of Outstanding Teaching. Now, the DoDEA state finalists will move on to the national level of the PAEMST competition.

Louise Lambertson

Louise Lambertson is a kindergarten teacher at Naples Elementary School in Italy. She joined DoDEA in 2009 and has taught kindergarten and first grade. Before DoDEA, she taught kindergarten, first and second grades in North Carolina public and private schools. 

With 30 years as an educator, Lambertson distinguishes herself through her National Board Certification as an early childhood generalist, earned in 2002. This certification reflects her commitment to ongoing professional development and providing the best possible foundation for young learners. 

During her career, Lambertson has been part of school leadership teams, trained at the Center for Creative Leadership, and presented at National Paideia Conventions. She is currently part of the Educational Leadership team.

Cindy Weaver 

Cindy Weaver is a first grade teacher at Ankara Elementary High School in Türkiye. She has 16 years of education experience, having spent the first 12 years of her career as a Title I teacher for the State of Florida before joining DoDEA in 2019 where she worked at Van Voorhis Elementary School in Fort Knox, Kentucky.

Weaver has earned numerous accolades and held pivotal roles that underscore her dedication to educational excellence. She was named Rookie Teacher of the Year and recognized as a Distinguished High Impact Educator by the State of Florida. She also served as Lead Title I Math Trainer, Professional Development Science Instructor, and Math Intermediate Instructional Leader. Additionally, she has contributed as a Ready Freddy Mobile STEM Teacher, Robotics Chair, STEM Coordinator, Donuts for Dads Science Presenter, Professional Education Mentor, Science Committee Chair, Florida Farm Fresh Teacher, Professional Learning Communities Team Facilitator, and served on the School Improvement Team.

Julie Wilde

Julie Wilde is a fifth grade teacher at Ramstein Intermediate School in Germany. She previously taught Sure Start at Kaiserslautern Elementary School. 

Wilde serves as Continuous School Improvement (CSI) co-chair and is an active member of the Building Leadership Team and the District Leadership Team. She has facilitated professional development activities to help teachers create a more engaging learning environment for their students. Wilde also serves as the school technology chair and after-school club coordinator.

Labrina Chandre 

Labrina Chandre is a fifth grade teacher at Ramstein Intermediate School in Germany. She has been teaching for 23 years, three of which have been at Ramstein Intermediate School. Throughout her teaching career, she has taught pre-K-5 and gifted and enrichment grades 2-8. 

Chandre has served as the robotics coach and STEM integrator in the Kaiserslautern Military Community and Ramstein District.  She is a member of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and the National Science Teacher Association. She has facilitated professional development activities in STEAM and the art of storytelling across the curriculum. 

Chandre was named the Teacher of the Year 2007 at Freedom Park Elementary School, Teacher of the Year 2014 Diamond Lakes Elementary School, and Jefferson County Best Elementary Teacher 2017. She is an army veteran and enjoys empowering students to succeed in a dynamic world. 

Tiffany Kelly

Tiffany Kelly is a third grade teacher at Stuttgart Elementary School in Germany. Beyond the classroom, she excels as a team facilitator, science curriculum leader, and founder of the award-winning Europe East STEAM team. The STEAM team has hosted many STEAM-centered community events with the help of local military partners. 

Kelly is also the sponsor for the Coding Club, Robotics, and Science Fair and is a member of the National Science Education Leadership Association (NSELA). She supports her district with the implementation of DoDEA's College and Career Ready Standards for Science (CCRSS) by facilitating professional development activities to help teachers incorporate Depth of Knowledge (DOK) questioning and total participation techniques. 

Jennifer Knopf 

Jennifer Knopf is a kindergarten teacher at Kadena Elementary School in Japan, where she has been teaching for the past five years. Her 14 years as an educator also include teaching pre-kindergarten through second grade in Oklahoma.

Knopf maintains a leadership position at Kadena Elementary School as the Kindergarten Team Leader and is a member of the Continuous Improvement team. She has led professional development activities at the national, state, and school levels to support teachers in phonemic awareness, science, and math.  
 

The Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) program is administered by the National Science Foundation on behalf of the White House Office for Science and Technology Policy.