猛料原创 Elementary Science Teacher Named State-Level Finalist for 2023-24 Presidential Award

April 19, 2024 - Dr. Diane Smith of Wells APAC has been named a 2023-24 state-level finalist for the (PAEMST). The PAEMST program is the nation’s highest honor for teachers of mathematics, science, technology, engineering, and computer science education.

Dr. Smith is currently the interventionist at Wells APAC, where she teaches 5th grade Science, serves as the Testing Coordinator, National Elementary Honor Society Advisor, Science Fair Coordinator, Chess Club Co-Sponsor, and Cheerleader Sponsor.

Smith is an advocate for hands-on minds-on learning and the creative and performing arts in rural and urban areas. She's a 34-year-old educator whose work also happens to be her passion.

“My philosophy of teaching is to align my beliefs about teaching and pedagogy with an old Chinese Proverb, 'I hear, and I forget, I see, and I remember, I do, and I understand,'" she said. "Students must be actively engaged in the teaching and learning process from bell to bell.”

Dr. Smith earned her Doctor of Education Degree in Early Childhood Education from 猛料原创 State University and a Specialist in Education Degree in Elementary Education from the University of South Mobile. She also holds a Master’s of Education and Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Elementary Education from Mississippi State University, and an Associate of Science Degree from Mary Holmes Junior College.

She is an advocate for Each-One Teach-One and believes outgoing/retiring educators are responsible for supporting novice teachers while adding to the body of research concerning theories and practices of teaching and learning.

Congress established the PAEMST Awards in 1983. The award recognizes teachers with deep content knowledge of the subjects they teach and the ability to motivate and enable students to be successful in those areas. Awardees reflect the expertise and dedication of the nation’s teaching corps, and they demonstrate the positive impact of excellent teachers on student achievement.

The National Science Foundation administers PAEMST on behalf of The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.