Silver Hill Math Coach Jennifer Donais received a presidential citation for her commitment to mathematics education during a trip to Washington, D.C. (Courtesy photograph)
President Donald J. Trump is praising the efforts of Haverhill Silver Hill teacher Jennifer Donais. This week, the elementary school math coach was able to reap the rewards of a two-year application process when she accepted a Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching in Washington, D.C.
During her four-day stay in our nation’s capital, Donais attended the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy’s first-ever Science, Technology, Engineering and Math summit and provided feedback for a federal five-year STEM Education strategic plan.
The educator tells WHAV meeting with legislators and offering suggestions at the summit was the highlight of her trip.
She’s already thinking about how to incorporate what she’s learned into her Silver Hill curriculum.
“At the STEM summit, we talked a lot about problem solving,” Donais said. “That’s where we need to go in our district: Making sure our students are critically thinking and being creative in their thinking.”
Donais was one of 104 educators chosen for the honor, and attended several White House-sponsored events alongside a fellow Massachusetts delegate, a Quincy-based science teacher.
The daughter of computer programmer Mark and Bartlett and Greenleaf School Principal Toni Donais, she was nominated for the honor by Haverhill District Supervisor of Mathematics Patricia Juranovits.
In addition to her trip to Washington, D.C., Donais received a presidential citation and a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation.
Congratulations Ms. Donais. We are lucky to have you teaching in Haverhill.