Erin Flynn, center, in Washington, D.C, with Megan Smith, U.S. Chief Technology Officer, left, and France Córdova, director of the National Science Foundation.
Sacred Hearts Academy teacher Erin Flynn received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching on July 30 in Washington, D.C.
Flynn, the ninth grade biology teacher and chairwoman of the science department at the Academy, was one of the country’s 108 recipients of the honor and one of two Hawaii teachers selected. The other local winner is Amy Yonashiro of Iolani School.
This year’s awardees represent all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Territories, and the Department of Defense Education Activity schools. The honor is awarded annually to K-12 science and mathematics teachers selected by a panel of scientists, mathematicians and educators following an initial state selection process. Each year the award alternates between kindergarten through sixth grade teachers and those teaching seventh through 12th grades. This year was for the latter category.
Winners received $10,000 from the National Science Foundation to be used at their discretion.
