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Okaloosa County School District Recognizes Jacqueline Sheffield, Recipient of the Presidential Award

The Okaloosa County School District is proud to celebrate Jacqueline Sheffield, a dedicated mathematics educator with 28 years of teaching experience, for being named a recipient of the prestigious Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). Established in 1983, this award is the highest recognition K-12 math and science teachers can receive from the U.S. government. 

Ms. Sheffield has been a mathematics teacher at Fort Walton Beach High School for 24 years, where she has inspired students across all grade levels through her engaging instruction in Algebra 2 Honors and Advanced Placement Statistics. Before her tenure at Fort Walton Beach High School, Ms. Sheffield taught mathematics at Davidson Middle School, further exemplifying her commitment to academic excellence and student success. 

On January 13, 2025, President Joe Biden announced the 336 recipients of the PAEMST and the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM), recognizing the crucial role educators like Ms. Sheffield play in shaping the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators. These awards honor individuals who demonstrate deep content knowledge, exceptional teaching ability, and a dedication to improving STEM education. 

“Jacqueline Sheffield’s commitment to her students and her profession is truly inspiring. Her distinction as a recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching reflects her unwavering dedication to academic excellence and her ability to inspire a love of learning in her students,” said Superintendent Marcus Chambers. “We are incredibly proud to have her as part of our Okaloosa family and thank her for her positive impact on countless students over the years.”

The rigorous selection process for the PAEMST involves a comprehensive evaluation by panels of distinguished mathematicians, scientists, and educators at both the state and national levels. Awardees are selected based on their classroom excellence and commitment to fostering educational opportunities for a broad range of learners. As part of the award, recipients receive $10,000 from the National Science Foundation and are celebrated for their achievements at a special ceremony in Washington, D.C. For more information about the PAEMST program, visit www.paemst.org

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