Dr. David A. Bauman of the Pa. Department of Education visited Bala Cynwyd Middle School on June 6, 2024, to present Tech Ed teacher Jessica Perfetto with a prestigious honor.

Ms. Perfetto is one of three finalists from Pennsylvania for the Presidential Award of Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching for 2024.

As her class and BCMS Principal Jeffrey Hunter looked on, Dr. Bauman presented Ms. Perfetto with a certificate and noted that Gov. Josh Shapiro and Pa. Secretary of Education Dr. Khalid Mumin sent their congratulations. Dr. Mumin previously served as LMSD Superintendent of Schools.

The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) were established by Congress in 1983 and are the highest honors bestowed by the United States government specifically for K-12 science, technology, engineering and mathematics teaching.

The awards recognize teachers who have both deep content knowledge of the subjects they teach and the ability to motivate and enable students to be successful in those areas.

Several LMSD teachers have moved on from State Finalist to National Award Winners in the past:

• 1986: Carl Duzen from Lower Merion High School
• 1996: Kathleen Horstmeyer from Gladwyne Elementary
• 2010: Phyllis Glackman from Merion Elementary

Congratulations to Ms. Perfetto for this honor! To see photos from the award presentation, please click through the slide show below.