John Witherspoon Middle School math teacher is presidential award-winner

Bonnie Gendaszek receives nation’s highest math-science teaching honor

By: David Campbell
   John Witherspoon Middle School mathematics teacher Bonnie Gendaszek has been named a recipient of the 2005 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, the nation’s highest honor for teaching in these fields, the National Science Foundation has announced.
   Ms. Gendaszek was among 100 seventh- to 12th-grade teachers nationwide to receive the award, and one of two from New Jersey. The other was Lois Lyons, a science teacher from High Technology High School in Lincroft.
   "This is a remarkable achievement and high honor," said Lewis Goldstein, the Princeton school district’s assistant superintendent for human resources, public information and community relations.
   "The entire school district and Princeton community extends its congratulations to Bonnie on receiving such national recognition for her teaching excellence in mathematics," Mr. Goldstein said.
   Ms. Gendaszek is in Washington, D.C. this week to receive the award during an official ceremony Thursday night at the National Academy of Sciences. She visited the White House Wednesday, where she and fellow recipients had their picture taken with President George W. Bush.
   Honorees each receive a $10,000 grant from the NSF, the independent federal agency that administers the awards program, along with an all-expense-paid trip to Washington this week that included celebratory events and professional-development activities.
   Ms. Gendaszek said she also had the opportunity this week to make a statement before a House science committee meeting in which she cited a need for math training for elementary and middle-school teachers, and also worked with some mathematicians at the NSF.
   Ms. Gendaszek, 59, a Lambertville resident, joined the Princeton district in 1970 as a teacher at Princeton High School. Beginning in 1978, she took a hiatus of about eight years to raise her two children, then returned to teaching at PHS.
   About 11 years ago, she moved to the middle school, where she has remained ever since. She teaches eighth-grade math, pre-algebra, algebra I and accelerated algebra II.
   Has she enjoyed her trip to Washington? "I’m exhilarated and exhausted, if you can be both at the same time," she said.
   In a citation given to Ms. Gendaszek, President Bush commended her "for embodying excellence in teaching, for devotion to the learning needs of students, and for upholding the high standards that exemplify American education at its finest."
   In a letter to the award winners, President Bush called math and science "critical components of America’s technological and competitive strength."
   Established by Congress in 1983, the annual awards program recognizes highly qualified mathematics and science teachers from across the United States and four U.S. jurisdictions for their contributions in the classroom and to their profession.
   Math and science teachers from kindergarten through 12th grade are eligible for the award. In even-numbered years, the award is given to elementary teachers — grades K-6 — and to secondary teachers —grades 7-12 — in odd-numbered years.
   The NSF is an independent federal agency that supports fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering. NSF funds reach all 50 states through grants to nearly 2,000 universities and institutions. NSF also awards over $200 million in professional and service contracts yearly, the NSF said.