A Berkeley teacher is among the finalists for the highest honor given by the U.S. government for teaching science, mathematics, engineering, and computer science in k-12 schools.
Cherene Fillingim-Selk, a teacher at Berkeley Arts Magnet School is among three California finalists for the award, called the 2024 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.
Now, a national panel will select two winners from each state to receive the top prize from the White House.
For the 2023–2024 school year, those who teach kindergarten through grade six were eligible for the award.
Fillingim-Selk teaches science for grades one through five and has been teaching for 32 years, according to an announcement of the award from the California Department of Education.
She has also mentored student teachers who focus on teaching science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), and has served on the district’s science curriculum committee.
The state education department partners with the California Mathematics Council and the California Association of Science Educators to recruit nominees for the awards, and each applicant must submit a 30-minute video lesson to be considered.
Two winners from each state are then chosen by the National Science Foundation for the top award. They’ll go to the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, where they each receive a certificate and a $10,000 award.
Besides Fillingim-Selk, the other state finalists are from southern California: Suzanne Huerta teaches math at Whitaker Elementary School in Buena Park, and Phuong Uzoff who teaches at Richmond Street Elementary School in El Segundo.
“These amazing teachers model excellence in how we prepare California students for the challenges and advancements of the future,” said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond in a press release announcing the finalists last month.
