Obama Awards $10,000 to Washington Elementary School Teacher

Bay City News

An elementary school teacher in the was one of 85 educators nationwide awarded $10,000 and honored by President Obama on Thursday, officials said.

Kathleen Martin McCarthy, a second grade bilingual teacher at in San Leandro, was the recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, according to the California Department of Education.

The prestigious award recognizes outstanding teachers in kindergarten through twelfth grade in the science and mathematics fields, department officials said.

Following an initial selection process by state officials, McCarthy was chosen as one of California's three nominees for the award, according to the California Department of Education's website.

A national panel of distinguished scientists, mathematicians, and educators chose McCarthy as California's winner in the mathematics field.

Every year, the award alternates between recognizing primary and secondary school teachers, and this year's award highlighted educators in kindergarten through sixth grade, officials said.

Recipients will receive $10,000 from the National Science Foundation and an expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. later this year for an awards ceremony.

Anne Marie Bergen, a district science teacher in the Oakdale Joint Unified School District in Stanislaus County, will join McCarthy as California's science winner, officials said.

Two California nominees for next year's award will be named later this year, state officials said.