Burleigh Manor Teacher Receives 2018 Highest National Science Teaching Award

July 6th, 2018

Burleigh Manor Middle School 6th grade teacher George McGurl was recently recognized with a Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). PAEMST is the highest recognition that a kindergarten through 12th grade mathematics or science teacher may receive for outstanding teaching in the United States. McGurl is one of just two Maryland teachers among 140 nationally to be selected this year.

McGurl has served as a Howard County teacher for 16 years—15 of those years at Burleigh Manor where he leads the school’s environmental education, Green School and STEM programs. The school’s Outdoor Education program includes a 6th grade multi-day camping trip on the Chesapeake Bay, a 7th grade Trout in the Classroom program, and an 8th grade service learning day at the Howard County Conservancy. His STEM initiatives include engineering challenges, afterschool programming, and robotics activities. In 2013, McGurl was recognized as the Howard County Teacher of the Year and was named a Maryland State Teacher of the Year finalist.

PAEMST is administered by the National Science Foundation on behalf of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. Presidential awardees receive a certificate signed by the President of the United States, a trip to Washington D.C. to attend a series of recognition events and professional development opportunities, and a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation.

McGurl will be recognized at the Thursday, July 12 HCPSS Board of Education meeting.

Learn more about the PAEMST program and McGurl’s background.