A Pella elementary teacher has been named as one of three state finalists in the science category for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.

Jill Payne of Pella is up for the recognition. The award is the nation’s highest honor for K-12 educators of math and science. Payne tells KNIA/KRLS News she is overwhelmed by the recognition and is thankful she’s making a difference for students.

“Students are in charge of their own learning and the most important thing I can do for them – and for me – is to get them talking. There has to be open, safe space for student discourse. Only when they know and I know what they are truly thinking right now, can we plan where to go next and move forward in our understanding of the concept together,” she said in a statement.

Most recently from Pella, Joshua Steenhoek at Jefferson Intermediate won the award in 2016, and Kari Pingel did so in 2004. Hear more from Payne about her classroom on today’s Let’s Talk Pella (on audio player below).

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