The Little Rock School District congratulates Dr. Mary Maris of Little Rock Central High School, who has been selected to receive the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST).
The PAEMST program, administered by the National Science Foundation (NSF) on behalf of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, honors outstanding teachers for their significant contributions to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. As part of this national honor, she will receive a certificate signed by President Joe Biden, a $10,000 award from NSF, and the opportunity to attend a future awards ceremony in Washington, D.C.
Dr. Maris' commitment to fostering innovation and critical thinking in the classroom has left a lasting impact on her students and colleagues. Her leadership as Dean of the Science Department has been instrumental in advancing STEM education at Central High School.
"The Central High School family is so proud of Dr. Maris," said Nancy Rousseau, Principal of Little Rock Central High School. "Her passion for science education and her ability to inspire her students exemplifies what it means to be an outstanding educator at our school."
A highly regarded educator, Dr. Maris earned the title of LRSD's Teacher of the Year in 2017. She is also helping oversee the construction and development of the new state-of-the-art science wing at Central. She continues to inspire the next generation of scientists and math scholars.
For more information about the PAEMST program or details on the nomination process, visit paemst.nsf.gov.