Kepley Middle School eighth grade math teacher Elizabeh Self recently received the 2021 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. Self was one of 336 teachers and mentors from across the nation to be honored.
"These awards honor the vital role that America's teachers and mentors play in shaping the next generation of technical leaders, including scientists, engineers, explorers, and innovators," according to a White House press release.
Self was nominated for the award by a local community member in 2021 but the presidential administration was so far behind, she did not receive the award until Jan. 13 of this year. The White House announced the winners of each year since 2021.
"Once you're nominated for the award, you have to fill out a pretty extensive application, which turned out to be about 20 pages worth of reflection on my teaching," Self said. "I had to video tape a lesson and then reflect on that lesson and send that in to be selected as a finalist for the state of Kansas, and then in 2021 I was selected as a finalist."
Three people were selected as finalists for Kansas.
"There were three people that were selected as finalists, and then that went to the state White House Board, and then from there they looked at my application and then chose from there."
Self has been a Kansas educator for 18 years and has spent the past seven years at Kepley. She previously taught at Dodge City Middle School for 11 years.
Self said she was honored to receive the award.
"This is what I do every day and this is what I love to do every day," Self said. "It's a little crazy I guess because this is what I do every day, it shouldn't be anything but wonderful and excellent every day because I love what I do, so it's nice to be honored for that."
Self believes that all her mathematics lessons should be designed in a way that allows all students to feel successful and valued. She feels it is her job to provide this environment for the students. She encourages her students to consistently discover ways that mathematics makes sense to them and does this through hands-on lessons, peer interaction, and incorporating technology into her lessons.
The school has recognized Self's honor and has featured her on its Facebook page. The State of Kansas has invited her to an awards ceremony at the end of February, but she says she won't attend because she doesn't want to miss school.
"I already miss so much being the cheer coach for the high school so I think I'm going to stay because I don't want to miss anymore," Self added.
Self said she loves teaching eighth grade.
"I love the different personalities, the things that they're going through at this age, I just really enjoy working with this age group," she said. "They still want to be a kid but they're also growing up.
In addition to coaching the high school cheer squad for the past three years, Self offers summer enrichment with fellow educators to her students and has provided a variety of STEM enrichment, including themes based on Rube Goldberg, Mars Discovery, and Vex Robotics.
Self earned a B.S. in psychology from Grand Valley State University and a B.S. in education and an M.A. in educational administration from Fort Hays State. She hold endorsements in elementary education, middle school mathematics, and English as a Second Language.
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