August 5, 2020

GUAM TEACHERS SELECTED TO RECEIVE PRESIDENTIAL EXCELLENCE AWARDS IN SCIENCE, MATHEMATICS, AND ENGINEERING

The White House has recently selected Guam Department of Education teachers Dymphnia Paulyn San Nicolas-Diaz and Lali Thundiyil as recipients of the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). PAEMST are the nation’s highest honors for teachers of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and/or computer science.

Mrs. San Nicolas-Diaz currently works at Tiyan High School in Barrigada, Guam, and teaches mathematics. Mr. Thundiyil currently works at F.B. Leon Guerrero Middle School in Yigo, GU, and teaches life science.  

The PAEMST program, administered by the National Science Foundation (NSF) on behalf of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, recognizes outstanding teachers for their contributions to the teaching and learning of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and/or computer science.

Each awardee will receive a certificate signed by President Trump and a $10,000 award from NSF. Awardees will also travel to Washington, D.C., for an awards ceremony at a future date. While they are in D.C., they will participate in professional development activities and network with fellow STEM educators from across the nation. Additionally, the awardees will join a prestigious cadre of more than 5,000 teacher-alumni.

“I would like to congratulate Mrs. San Nicolas-Diaz and Mr. Thundiyil for this prestigious recognition, and I would like to thank them for representing the excellence of our school system at the national level,” GDOE Superintendent Jon Fernandez. “Both have been active not only in our school system, but our community, and I would like to thank them for their dedication to our students and families.”