Veazie -
The school year is about six weeks old.
But for the last six months one teacher in Veazie has been a nominee for a presidential award.
Lauree Gott is one of four Maine finalists for the honor.
For some in Veazie the concerns about the withdrawal from RSU 26 is in the front of their minds.
In the classroom, middle school science teacher Lauree Gott is busy putting information in the minds of her students.
Gott's test began in April when she was nominated for the award, she had to have a video made of her teaching, then she wrote a paper on her teaching methods, and earlier this month she was named a finalist for the 2012 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. "It was very exciting," said Gott. "And I was at the Maine Science Teachers Association, their conference for the year, Steven Bowen came and he announced it so it was very exciting and you know great teachers that I'm up against so I'm just excited to be a finalist."
All four of the finalists (from Cushing, Westbrook, and Yarmouth along with Gott) are women and the goal of many in the department of education is to get more girls interested in science and math. "I hope they see that science isn't just for guys, that there's so many different types of fields in science that they can get into," said Gott. "Not just engineering but engineering as well, as well as medicine, you know, we were just talking about geology and all kinds of great interesting careers."
And while the nomination is an accomplishment, it's the kids that have made her career rewarding. "Really part of it is just the kids have, they keep me energized, it's such a great school to teach at, I absolutely love it."
Now it goes before a national review of teachers and scientists with the winner being announced in the spring.
One science teacher and one math teacher will be chosen from each state, and recognized next spring in Washington D.C.
Now the finalists will be reviewed by teachers and scientists nationwide.
The winner will receive 10 thousand dollar awards from the National Science Foundation.
Gott was nominated for Maine Teacher of the Year in 2002.
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