Math and science teachers may be hard to find, but according to President Obama and the National Science Foundation, the state of Kansas has two of the best.

On Jan. 6, 2010, representatives from the National Science Foundation awarded two K-State alumnae with Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. Sherry Helus, a third-grade teacher at West Elementary School in Wamego, Kan., and DeAnn Swofford, an eighth-grade science teacher at Pioneer Ridge Middle School in Gardner, Kan., were the two recipients from the state of Kansas. According to the award's Web site, Obama made the final decision in selecting each of the 87 nation-wide recipients. He also congratulated the awarded teachers at the "Educate to Innovate" event.

Helus, awarded for mathematics instruction, said the awardees were given a number of opportunities during their stay in Washington, D.C. The teachers received invitations to a White House tour, a press conference, a group photo with Obama and a discussion with the Obama administration.

According to Helus, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan led the teacher-administration discussion. Helus said the focus of the discussion was how to "educate kids today to stay competitive [worldwide]."

Helus said several obstacles to the success of American students were discussed, including the shortage of quality teachers in the fields of math and science. The shortage is a regular concern, she said, as pay rates for the education industry cannot compare to those of the engineering and medical industries; thus, many potential educators enter the higher-paying fields instead. She said recognition of teachers, as in the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, is especially important considering teachers' comparatively meager salaries.

Swofford, awarded for science instruction, said another major concern of the discussion was the side effects of the No Child Left Behind Act.

"No Child Left Behind has really damaged science education since it is not a yearly-tested subject like reading or math," Swofford said. "Science and social studies are lumped together as the orphan child of education."

Swofford said some schools are decreasing the regularity of science and social studies lessons to match these subjects' less-frequent standardized testing schedule. She said this trend is motivated by schools' desires to obtain the most government funding they can. Per the No Child Left Behind Act, public schools must demonstrate sufficient annual improvement, or Adequate Yearly Progress, on standardized testing scores to qualify for government funding.

Despite the concerned tone of the discussion, Swofford said she was thrilled with the administration's eagerness to listen to and learn from the educators. She said the teachers were treated as "experts in the field."

In response to the recognition of Helus and Swofford, administrators at West Elementary School and Pioneer Ridge Middle School said the teachers deserved the award.

Amy Flinn, building principal at West Elementary School in Wamego, Kan., said she is "exceptionally proud" of Helus.

"She is truly an instructional leader," Flinn said. "She understands the importance of making math and science real for students."

Principal Lachelle Sigg of Pioneer Ridge Middle School in Gardner, Kan., had similar praise for Swofford.

"She doesn't just teach [students] about science, she lets them live it," Sigg said. "She's a gem."