Highland Elementary school teacher Melanie Ramey recently won the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching. The award, created by an act of Congress in 1983, is the highest honor awarded to a teacher by the United States Government. Mrs. Ramey was one of three math teachers to be named a finalist by state reviewers and became the only one from Kentucky to win the coveted title. She traveled to Washington, D.C. where she was asked to review the 5-year federal STEM plan as the voice for Eastern Kentucky students.
Mrs. Ramey has taught for 11 years and has spent the last two years teaching fourth grade mathematics at Highland Elementary School. She previously taught for one year at Central Elementary and spent her first eight years at Meade Memorial Elementary School. According to the PAEMST website, Ramey provides differentiated instruction through blended learning using technology. She also uses a mastery learning model to meet the needs of learners at all levels. Students evaluate their learning and complete enrichment and intervention as needed to meet their targets.
Mrs. Ramey said that she looked over the application every spring and never thought she would ever receive the award. She hopes that her winning the award will teach her students to have a growth mindset and always persevere to reach their goals.