South Lakes High School math teacher Emily Burrell is basking in the glow of national accolades since being recognized on January 13 by the White House as one of the country’s best math and science teachers.
The Oakton resident was honored by then-President Joe Biden as a recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). She was one of 306 teachers and mentors from around the country to receive this award.
“It’s nice for me to be celebrated and I really do appreciate it,” Burrell says. “Teachers don’t get a lot of recognition — so many teachers put in so many hours and so much heart in their work every day. I wish that there were systems that celebrated teachers more often.”
An additional 30 teachers and mentors received a similar award, the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM), on the same day.
PAEMST, established in 1983, is the highest honor awarded by the U.S. government to K–12 math and science teachers. PAESMEM, enacted by Congress 30 years ago, honors mentors’ hard work and dedication in encouraging STEM pathways participation.
“Emily is so deserving of this honor,” says Carlos Seward, principal at South Lakes High School in Reston. “In every lesson she teaches, in every interaction she has with our school community, she exemplifies the qualities we value the most at South Lakes High School and in Fairfax County Public Schools: supporting academic growth and excellence, and equitable access and opportunities for students.”
On staff at the Reston high school for a decade, Burrell endeavors to challenge and inspire students by teaching ninth to 12th grade mathematics. More specifically, she teaches Functions and Data Analysis, Algebra II, and International Baccalaureate Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation (Year One). She previously taught at Arlington’s Wakefield High School for 11 years and at Fairfax High School for two years.
A certified mathematics teacher for grades six to 12, Burrell earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of Virginia, a Master of Education degree in secondary mathematics from George Mason University, and a master’s certificate in education policy from George Mason University.
“At school, there’s so many great people that I get to work with. My students are so different from each other and so special in many different ways,” she says. “And the teachers that I work with, I’m always amazed at the ideas that they have, for trying new things to reach students in different ways, and I’m always amazed at their dedication.”
In the classroom, the married mom of two works to build student self-confidence and agency through collaborative learning. In her Algebra, Functions, and Data Analysis class, she instructs students who have been marginalized by traditional curriculum, while offering relevant opportunities for students to learn through real-world applications and project-based assessments.
A total of six Virginia teachers received the PAEMST for various years. In addition to Burrell, who won for 2023, Virginia recipients include:
- Raymond Cotter, William Fleming High School, Roanoke, 7–12 Science (2021)
- Sarah Flippen, Madison Elementary School, Ruther Glen, K–6 Mathematics (2022)
- Geraldine Maskelony, Arlington Career Center, Arlington, 7–12 Mathematics (2021)
- Marie Peaches, James K. Polk Elementary School, Alexandria, K–6 Science (2022)
- Erich Sneller, Harrisonburg High School, Harrisonburg, 7–12 Science (2023)
The Virginia Department of Education convened review committees to select state finalists. Nominees provided evidence of deep content knowledge, like lesson plans and a video teaching the lesson plan.
National awardees each receive a $10,000 unrestricted award from the National Science Foundation and a presidential certificate. They can also participate in a series of recognition events and professional development activities in Washington, DC.
Feature image courtesy Emily Burrell
