By Kevin Hendricks
An East Mountain High School teacher is a finalist for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching, one of the country’s highest honors in education.
Jennifer Webb, a math teacher at EMHS, is one of four New Mexico educators in the running for the prestigious award.
Webb, who teaches Algebra 1 at EMHS and has 18 years of teaching experience, is joined by Alicia Gonzales of Pojoaque Valley Public Schools (math), Marion Markham of Santa Fe Public Schools (science), and Demvia Maslian of the New Mexico Military Institute (science) as New Mexico finalists.
Webb, who also serves as head of the Math Department and Curriculum Lead at EMHS, holds a Master’s degree in Curriculum & Instruction from the University of New Mexico and is National Board Certified. She is known for implementing the Thinking Classroom model, which emphasizes student collaboration and critical thinking.
Trey Smith, executive director of East Mountain High School, praised Webb’s impact on the school.:
“Jennifer Webb has reshaped both our math department and our entire school. Her method is built around “building thinking classrooms” where students have to demonstrate their deep understanding of concepts and solve problems in collaborative groups,” Smith said. “It has turned around our math proficiency scores and it has inspired other teachers to embrace the same methods of deep thinking. Her classroom looks nothing like the traditional math class that most people are used to, and that’s a good thing.”
The award recognizes outstanding kindergarten through 12th-grade mathematics and science teachers. Winners receive a trip to Washington, D.C., for recognition events and professional development, a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation, and a presidential certificate.
State finalists were selected by the New Mexico SSC, which included current teachers, PAEMST national awardees, instructional coaches, administrators, retired educators, post-secondary faculty, and Math & Science Advisory Council members. The state finalists will be honored at state ceremonies and will represent New Mexico for the National PAEMST Review.