Last week, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond honored seven outstanding math and science teachers from California who are finalists for the 2023 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). One of those finalists is Richard Kick, an AP Computer Science A and AP Computer Science Principles teacher at Newbury Park High School. Mr. Kick has been a teacher for 42 years. 
The PAEMST program is administered by the National Science Foundation on behalf of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. The PAEMST is the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. Government specifically for kindergarten through grade twelve science, mathematics, engineering, and computer science teaching.
Mr. Kick is a member of the Computer Science Teachers Association editorial panel. He has written and presented papers for regional and national Computer Science Teachers Association conferences. Mr. Kick served as a writer on the Computer Science Standards for California Public Schools: Kindergarten through Grade Twelve and as a committee member on the California State Standards Committee for Computer Science Education. Mr. Kick was a contributor to both the Illinois Council of Teachers of Mathematics and National Council of Teachers of Mathematics journals. He was a member of the Special Interest Group on the Computer Science Education International Conference Committee and has published and presented several papers on computer science education at international conferences. Mr. Kick is also a sponsor of the Code Nation Club and the American Computer Science League Club. The lesson Mr. Kick submitted was taught in his AP Computer Science Principles class and focused on using programming abstractions to create computer simulations.
The California Department of Education (CDE) partners with the California Mathematics Council and the California Association of Science Educators to recruit and select nominees for the PAEMST program. Each applicant must display subject mastery, appropriate use of instructional methods and strategies, lifelong learning, and leadership in education outside the classroom. Each candidate is required to submit a 30-minute video lesson in support of their application.
Congratulations on this phenomenal honor, Mr. Kick!
For 2022–23, those who teach grades seven through twelve were eligible for the award. Presidential Award recipients are honored at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., and receive a $10,000 special award from the National Science Foundation.
Awards are given to teachers who teach science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and/or computer science from each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Department of Defense schools, and four U.S. territories (as a group).
Click here to read the California Department of Education News Release: State Superintendent Tony Thurmond Announces 2023 California Finalists for Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.
For more information, visit the CDE Presidential Awards for Math and Science Teaching web page or the PAEMST website.
