On August 3, 2020, the White House announced the most recent recipients of the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. This year's teachers represent 7-12th grade educators from across the United States.
The mathematics teacher awarded from Nebraska is Deb Bulin of Thayer Central, a participant in NebraskaMATH. She was also a regional teacher leader for our TEAMS (Teaching to Enhance Achievement in Mathematics and Science) Math Science Partnership from the state of Nebraska in 2017. Read more about Deb:
Debra Bulin, Hebron, NE | 7-12, Mathematics, 2019
https://www.paemst.org/finalist_profile/5052
Debra Bulin has been an educator for 27 years and has spent the last 24 years teaching mathematics at Thayer Central Community School. She spent the first two years of her career teaching at Bruning Public School, followed by one year at Geneva Public School. Debra currently teaches College Algebra and Trigonometry as dual-credit classes, as well as Algebra 1, Geometry, Applied Math, and a coding class to 8th-12th grade students.
Debra's love of teaching is evident in her classroom and beyond. She consistently uses new strategies to keep her students engaged and interested in the lessons. She likes to challenge her students and get them excited about mathematics, frequently taking them to the elementary school to play mathematics games and share their projects with the younger students. She has also helped elementary students during their family math nights.
Debra loves to share her ideas with other teachers. She has presented sessions at a number of conferences on many different topics. In addition, Debra has planned and hosted many Greater Nebraska Math Teachers Circles both at her school and with teachers at other schools. She also planned a conference for preservice teachers. Debra has served on several committees for writing and revising the mathematics standards and assessments and has been a part of a variety of mathematics initiatives across the state.
Debra earned a B.S. in mathematics and a M.A.T. in mathematics from the University of Nebraska. She has a professional teaching certificate with endorsements in mathematics for grades 6–12 and informational technology for grades PreK–12.
The 7-12 science awardee is Amy Leising of the Zoo Academy in Omaha: https://www.paemst.org/finalist_profile/5085.