West Virginia Educators Receive Presidential Award in Math and Science

Charleston, W.Va. - The West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) congratulates four educators from the state who received the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). Nationally, 336 teachers and mentors received the most recent round of this prestigious award as well as the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM). Both recognize the role that educators play in shaping the next generation of teachers and promoting the technical disciplines of science, math and engineering.

West Virginia educators receiving the PAEMST include:

Kerianne Smead , a 12-year educator, currently teaches mathematics at Morgantown High School in Monongalia County. She previously taught at Fairmont Senior High School, Preston High School and Greenbrier East High School. Smead is a Mountaineer Mathematics Master Teacher (M3T) Fellow supported through a National Science Foundation Grant. She works with her colleagues to find innovative solutions that address challenges in the classroom and help engage more students in mathematics across the state. Additionally, she has presented at the West Virginia Council of Teachers of Mathematics (WVCTM) conference for several years and is the 2024 Mathematics Teacher of the Year at the secondary level.

Alicen Adkins is a sixth- and seventh-grade science teacher at Moorefield Middle School (MMS) in Hardy County. She has an Associate of Science Degree in Nuclear Medicine Technology and a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Science Education from Fairmont State University. A teacher of nine years, Adkins started and co-coaches an international award-winning robotics program and serves on the media and leadership teams of her school. She has served roles with the WVDE for curriculum, assessment and standard reviews, the Governor's STEM Institute and has worked at the NASA Educator Resource Center in Fairmont. Adkins has also won the 2019 MMS Teacher of the Year, the 2019 and 2020 Spirit of Hardy County Award, the 2020 West Virginia Outstanding Earth Science Teacher, the Golden Apple Award for Educational Excellence, the 2015 Stark Wilmoth Outstanding Student Teacher Award and the 2014 NASA Project Achievement Award for Robotics Education.

Renee Haines has taught biology at Martinsburg High School in Berkeley County for 17 years. She earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology and a Master of Arts Degree in Secondary Education from West Virginia University. Haines developed the Traveling Science Show with Science National Honor Society students who visit elementary and middle school classrooms to conduct hands-on experiments. She engages with approximately 2,000 students a year. Haines has helped train colleagues on a districtwide literacy model and developed cross-curricular research projects in collaboration with English teachers.

Adam Riazi , a West Virginia educator for 17 years, teaches mathematics and computer science at Cabell Midland High School in Cabell County. He earned a bachelor's in mathematics, a post-baccalaureate certificate in secondary mathematics education and a master's in leadership studies from Marshall University. Riazi is a National Board Certified Teacher in adolescent and young adult mathematics and was named as a Mountaineer Mathematics Master Teacher Noyce Fellow where he develops, promotes and leverages math teacher leadership across the state. He is a member of the leadership team and professional development team at his school where he leads and facilitates all school professional learning communities. Additionally, Riazi was honored as a Computer Science Teachers Association National Educator Award recipient and a multiple-time National Center for Women and Information Technology award winner.

"It is an honor for these West Virginia educators to be recognized nationally for their exceptional practices and dedication to their students, colleagues and communities," said State Superintendent of Schools Michele L. Blatt. "Each of them brings a unique perspective to their students as is reflected in their passion for teaching. We are grateful for their service and are proud of this accomplishment."

Established in 1983, the PAEMST is the highest award bestowed by the United States government specifically for K-12 science, technology, engineering, mathematics, or computer science teaching. Awardees are selected based on their distinction in the classroom and dedication to improving science, technology, engineering and math education. Nominees complete a rigorous application process to demonstrate deep content knowledge and an ability to adapt to a broad range of learners and teaching environments. Successful candidates receive a certificate signed by the President of the United States, an all-expense paid trip to a ceremony at the nation's capital, and $10,000 from the National Science Foundation. Nationally, more than 5,200 educators have received the award since its inception.

Learn more on the PAEMST website .