The Mississippi State Board of Education recently recognized the 2017 state finalists for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) Program. PAEMST is the highest recognition that K-12 mathematics or science teacher can receive for outstanding teaching in the United States. Shae Koenigsberger, who teaches Precalculus, AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, Differential Equations and Trigonometry at the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science here in Columbus, was selected as Mississippi’s state-level finalist for Grades 7-12.
PAEMST recipients serve as exemplars for their schools, innovators in their communities, and leaders the broader field of mathematics and science education. Finalists are selected through a rigorous application process. State finalists advance to the next round of the competition with national award winners being announced during the 2018-19 school year.
Ms. Koenigsberger began her teaching career at Hatley High School in Amory, Mississippi, where she served as the Mathematics Department Chair. From there, she advanced to the Monroe County Advanced Learning Center where she taught higher mathematics to students at Hatley, Hamilton, and Smithville high schools. In 2012, Ms. Koenigsberger achieved National Board certification and joined the teaching faculty at the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science (MSMS). In addition to her robust teaching responsibilities at MSMS, Ms. Koenigsberger is also the coordinator for the state-wide math tournament held annually in February.