Math Teacher Honored with Presidential Award
The White House recently honored Emily McDonald (MM ’24) with a Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST).
A Hamilton County Schools teacher since 2015, McDonald completed her Master of Mathematics degree in 2024 through an online program at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and is pursuing a PhD in math education from UT.
The PAEMST is the highest US government award for K-12 math and science teachers, recognizing leaders in preparing the next generation of scientists, engineers, explorers, and innovators. The January 13, 2025, awards announcement included more than 300 honorees for 2021, 2022, and 2023, and McDonald was among four recipients from Tennessee.
Inspired by her own teachers in Hamilton County Schools, McDonald said she was drawn to mathematics because of its structure and logic. “It was like a puzzle to be solved,” she said. “I enjoyed the sense of accomplishment that came with solving a challenging problem and the beauty of patterns that emerged in numbers and equations.”
As a teacher, McDonald wants all students to feel capable and empowered in mathematics. “Seeing a student go from saying, ‘I’m not a math person,’ to confidently explaining a complex concept fuels my passion for teaching,” she said.
McDonald earned a BS and MA from Tennessee Technological University before beginning her teaching career. She initially started taking courses in the Master of Mathematics program as electives while pursuing her PhD through the UT College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences. After completing a couple courses in the challenging curriculum, she added the MM degree, which is designed for educators and combines rigorous mathematics training with practical applications in the classroom.
“My primary goal for pursuing the MM was to enhance my mathematical knowledge and pedagogical skills to become a more effective teacher and provide more opportunities outside of high school mathematics,” she explained.
“Since I live in Chattanooga, I was very thankful that the MM program could be completed online in the evenings,” McDonald said. “Because the program was synchronous with weekly meetings, I felt more included and connected to my professors and classmates compared to if the program had been asynchronous.”
McDonald is currently teaching at University High, a Hamilton County Schools program on the campus of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
The award includes a trip to Washington, D.C., for recognition events and professional development opportunities, as well as $10,000 from the National Science Foundation.
McDonald said the award reflects the teachers, colleagues, and administrators who supported and challenged her. “This honor is the recognition of the power of public education and the vital role that dedicated teachers play in shaping the future,” she said.
By Amy Beth Miller