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MIDDLE SCHOOL SCIENCE TEACHER IS A FINALIST FOR PRESIDENTIAL AWARD

5/10/2021

Kelly Mill Med Pro Middle School science teacher Warren Wise is a finalist for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). The Presidential awards are the highest honors bestowed by the United States government in K-12 STEM teaching. Wise was recognized at the April meeting of the State Board of Education. Six South Carolina teachers are in the running for these prestigious awards. One science and one math teacher from each state will be selected and announced later this summer. Each awardee receives a certificate signed by the President of the United States and a $10,000 award.



Wise says he’s told it is rare for people of color to be presented with this award but regardless of the outcome, believes he has already won by opening doors for others. “To be recognized as one of the top science and math teachers in the nation is an honor. The application process is intense and I'm proud to have completed that especially during this COVID year of teaching,” Wise said. “I could not have done it without the help of a lot of friends and coworkers. This year has been one of the most challenging ever, but in some ways, it has been one of the most rewarding because teachers found creative ways to educate students.”

Dr. Richard Griffin is principal of Kelly Mill Middle. “I am extremely proud of Mr. Wise. He excels in building positive relationships with students and teaching higher order critical thinking skills. He has been instrumental in exploring STEAMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts Math, and Medical) and AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) strategies in his classroom,” said Dr. Griffin.   

Since 1985, Richland Two has had six science and four math teachers to win Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. Wise would be the first Black male to win in Richland Two since Matthew Owens won in 2011 while teaching mathematics at Spring Valley High School. The most recent PAEMST winner is Ridge View High School science teacher Dr. David Degenhardt who received the teaching honor in 2019.