The K-5 STEM lab teacher at Glendover Elementary, Hillary McWhorter, is a Kentucky finalist for a Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, and the state selection committee will forward her application for national consideration. “We were excited to see such a high quality of applicants during this cycle. It is clear that Kentucky has an incredible teaching force, and it is quite an accomplishment to be nominated for PAEMST,” said Rae McEntyre, a science consultant with the Kentucky Department of Education.
A native of Liberty Township, Ohio, McWhorter earned her undergraduate degree at Hanover College and a master’s degree at Georgetown College. She joined Fayette County Public Schools in 2002, taught several years at Tates Creek Elementary, and moved over to Glendover in 2008. “I strongly believe that all children can learn,” McWhorter said. “I work to create engaging and fun learning experiences for all my students. We have time to explore and play with science, followed with time to discuss our observations and learning. This is to validate students’ ideas and work as scientists.”
PAEMST honors teachers who have deep content knowledge of their subjects and the ability to motivate and enable students to succeed. The National Science Foundation administers the program on behalf of The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. The COVID-19 pandemic has delayed the PAEMST timeline, so it is unclear when the White House will announce the next group of winners.
