Introduction | Guidelines | Application | Prior Recipients

Established in 1983, the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching annually recognize outstanding classroom teachers for their achievements in the profession. The Council of Presidential Awardees in Mathematics, Inc. (CPAM) has established a scholarship program for high school seniors who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in mathematics and who intend to pursue a course of study to prepare to teach mathematics at the elementary or secondary school level. By establishing this scholarship program, CPAM demonstrates its commitment to nurturing the next generation of excellent mathematics teachers. (Prior Scholarship Recipients)

Procedures and Criteria
Each scholarship will grant the recipient $2000 for the first year of undergraduate study. The scholarship may be renewed for each of three succeeding years providing the recipient maintains a good academic record and continues to pursue a program which leads to teacher certification with specialization in mathematics.

Applicants for the scholarship must be nominated by a Presidential Awardee who is a CPAM member. The nominee must be a student or former student of the Awardee, a student with whom the Awardee has worked closely in an extracurricular capacity, or the son or daughter of an Awardee. Each year an Awardee may nominate, at most, one student.

• A completed application form. (Download: Word format | PDF format)
• A high school transcript through the first semester of the senior year
• School Profile
• Scores on the SAT or ACT
• Three letters of recommendation: from the nominating Presidential Awardee, from another mathematics teacher who has had the student in class or worked with the student in extracurricular activities, and from a guidance counselor or school administrator
• Personal essays
  1. Submit a double-spaced (maximum of two pages) essay addressing one or more of the following points:
     a. Tell why you want to be a mathematics teacher.
     b. Describe any special talent, ability or skill you possess which will help you become an effective teacher.
     c. Describe how one of your teachers has influenced your career goals.
  2. Submit a paragraph explaining your need for financial aid.

The selection of the scholarship recipient will be based on the following criteria:

• Academic promise as indicated by the high school record, test scores and awards and honors
• Potential for excellence in mathematics teaching and commitment to the profession as indicated by letters of recommendation and personal essays
• Financial need

A copy of the scholarship application is available at CPAM's Web site: http://cpam.teachersdg.org/

An application form is included with the December issue of CPAM's newsletter or you may click here for a copy in Word format or PDF format.