Long Wait Over

As a part of the Presidential Award for Excellence and Mathematics and Science Teaching application, over two years ago I went through the very long (and frankly enjoyable) process of chronicling my career as a teacher. Part of that process included a live video. Part of it included putting together a portfolio of my accomplishments (my sister used her computer magic to display them in their best possible light).

I submitted the application in May of 2013 and waited for the results.

In October I received a letter congratulating me as one of five state finalists.

That was the last word I heard until I saw a twitter feed (which I had just recently started again) - PAEMST winners announced. Since I had not heard anything else I knew then that I did not make it.

My former colleague at Madison Central, Dr. Betsy Sullivan, received the award along with 101 other state finalists nationally. Congratulations, Betsy!

Later I checked my old school email and found out that I did get a Dear John letter.

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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

4201 WILSON BOULEVARD, ARLINGTON VA 22230

Dear John,

The White House issued a press release today to announce selection of the recipients for the 2013 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST).  Although you were not among those selected for the award, the National Science Foundation is mindful of the hard work that goes into applying for this major national award, and we congratulate you as a finalist from Mississippi.

We especially want to extend our thanks for your patience throughout the year given the amount of time that has passed since your application was reviewed. 

Your reviews from the National Selection Committee will be made available to you shortly. We hope you find your reviews helpful as you reflect on your application and we encourage you to consider applying again in the near future.

Again, we will be in contact to provide additional guidance so you may retrieve your committee reviews. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please contact Dr. Nafeesa Owens, PAEMST Program Lead at info@paemst.org. She or a member of the PAEMST team will promptly reply.

Sincerely,

Dr. Sylvia M. James

Division Director

Division of Human Resource Development

Education and Human Resources Directorate

National Science Foundation

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Of all the things I have done over the years as an educator, this proved the most frustrating and disappointing.  Not because I did not get the award but because I spent almost two years in never never land with no communication.

Maybe that was best. I learned a lot about patience and just turning things over to powers greater than I.