Two MCPS Teachers Honored by the White House In Math and Science
Joan Shane, a math content specialist at Sligo Middle School, and Krishni Patrick, a 5th grade teacher at Piney Branch Elementary School, received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST), the highest distinction for K-12 math and science teachers given by the U.S. government.
They are among six awardees from Maryland.
Before you enter Joan Shane’s classroom, you can’t help but notice her math philosophy on the door: “I don’t believe that people hate math, not for one minute. People hate feeling anxious, confused, and confounded by math. The problem, therefore, is not with math, but how math is taught. When taught with care, precision, and passion, students will love math.”
“My teaching philosophy has always been to make students feel comfortable, safe and ready to learn,” Shane said. “Anxiety around mathematics and middle school is challenging enough. Why shouldn't my classroom be where students feel excited and engaged in mathematics?”
Shane, who was recognized for her excellence in mathematics, says she didn't have a positive relationship with math growing up, realized during her initial years of teaching that it wasn’t the math that was challenging, it was how it was taught. “If it was taught in a way of love and with understanding, people might not like it, but they’d appreciate it and would really like being in the space that I was creating for them to learn in.”
This philosophy translates to her student-centered classroom—where she offers a variety of seating arrangements, allows students to work out problems by writing on desks and encourages students to share their own “math story.”
Krishni Patrick’s approach to teaching science revolves around creating learning experiences where her students thrive. Patrick was also honored by PAEMST for her excellence in science and elevating science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). She strives to create a culture of respect and partnership with her students and families by setting high expectations, honoring her families’ cultures and traditions, and applying culturally relevant practices.
[This award] “is a touchstone for realizing the power and potential of scientific inquiry and STEM for students,” said Patrick, who was recognized for her teaching excellence in science. “I am humbled, grateful and honored to be in a community of such exemplary teachers,” Patrick said. “It is the pinnacle of my career trying to make science come alive in the eyes of children.”
Throughout her career, she has created opportunities for positive STEM experiences from past third graders raising shad in a hatchery and releasing the fish into the Potomac watershed, to engaging hundreds of families through STEM nights and adapting curriculum to be STEM-forward. In 2022, she partnered with the NAACP and her school's PTA to bring COVID vaccine clinics to her school and helped organize vaccine education events in four different languages.
Their commitment to math and science makes them part of a notable group of educators, only 110 are recognized each year. Each state selects no more than six finalists, which are shared with a national committee who then recommend up to two teachers in mathematics or science from each state to receive the award. To guide them through the process, each teacher works with a mentor.
"It was an honor to work with and support both Joan and Krishni in their PAEMST journey. They represent some of the best teaching in math and science, not only in MCPS, but across the nation," said Dr. John Seelke, a mathematics teacher at North Bethesda Middle School. Dr. Seelke was a previous PAEMST winner for his time teaching in Washington, D.C. and, as a former winner, had the opportunity to serve as an official mentor to both.
Patrick and Shane received $10,000 from The National Science Foundation, and now have access to an alumni network of teachers from across the nation. They also have the opportunity to join the state and national committees for PAEMST, which allows them to select future recipients of the awards.