Southland Educators Get Presidential Awards for Math, Science Teaching

Three Los Angeles County educators were among those who received presidential awards for teaching or mentoring, the White House announced Tuesday.

Receiving the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching was Jose Rivas of Lennox Mathematics, Science and Technology Academy.

And receiving the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring were Dominique Evans of the Glendale Unified School District and Gisele Ragusa of the University of Southern California.

Established in 1983, PAEMST is the highest award given by the U.S. government to kindergarten through 12th grade teachers of mathematics and science, including computer science.

As for the mentoring award, White House officials said "PAESMEM recognizes the critical roles mentors play outside the traditional classroom setting in the academic and professional development of the future STEM workforce."

Awardees come from schools in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools, and schools in the United States territories of Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the United States Virgin Islands.

Nominations and awards are facilitated by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and the National Science Foundation.