works
teacher
Patti Works, a science lab teacher at Cassidy Elementary, has earned the prestigious Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.
“I can’t imagine a more rewarding or interesting job than teaching science lab at Cassidy,” Works said in a release. “Our elementary students are natural scientists. As they question, test and explore phenomena, it is a natural opportunity to engage students in authentic reading, writing and critical thinking.”
In her 31st year of teaching, Works is a member of the state and district Science Leadership Networks and served on the Next-Generation Science Standards review team. She is also a resource teacher for the Kentucky Teacher Internship Program (KTIP). In addition, Works has been a member of the School-Based Decision Making Council (SBDM) at two schools and served on the Kentucky State Textbook and Materials Adoption Review Committee and the Fayette County Superintendent’s Advisory Council.
Works and a math intervention teacher in Danville are among 102 recipients representing the 50 states, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Department of Defense schools.
The Presidential Award winners will receive a certificate signed by President Obama; a paid trip for two to Washington, D.C., for a series of recognition events and professional development opportunities; and a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation. Locally, Works will be lauded by Kentucky American Water at the District Science Fair as Superintendent Tom Shelton notes the impact of her teaching. Mayor Jim Gray will also cite Works’ accomplishments at February’s LFUCG council meeting.
The Presidential Award for Excellence is given annually to outstanding K-12 science and mathematics teachers across the country. Each year the award alternates between educators teaching kindergarten through 6th grade and those teaching 7th through 12th grades. The 2012 awardees teach K-6. The winners were selected by a panel of distinguished scientists, mathematicians and educators after an initial selection process done at the state level.