Schools
Western Coventry Elementary Teacher Receives National Award
Fifth grade science teacher Kerri Luchka was selected for a Presidential Award for Excellence in Science Teaching
COVENTRY, RI — A Coventry elementary school teacher has been awarded a prestigious national honor. Kerri Luchka was selected to receive the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.
The award is part of a collaborative program between the National Science Foundation and the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, which "recognizes outstanding teachers for their contributions to the teaching and learning of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and/or computer science."
Luchka left for Washington, DC on Wednesday, where she and her fellow attendees will received citations signed by the president and $10,000 from the National Science Foundation.
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"We would like to extend our congratulations to you and to others within your school who fostered this outstanding teacher," the foundation said in the announcement to the Coventry school department.
Luchka currently teaches fifth grade at Western Coventry Elementary School. An educator for more than 15 years, Luchka briefly taught at Alan Shawn Feinstein Middle School of COventry before returning to Wester Coventry this year.
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"To receive the Presidential Award is a great honor and acknowledgment of the hard work, dedication, and determination to become the best teacher that I can be for my students," Luchka said in her award bio. I am extremely grateful to my family, talented colleagues, administrators, mentors, students, and school community who have supported and taught me so much over the years. Receiving this prestigious award challenges me to continue growing while honoring all those who have helped me to become the teacher I am today."
The award was established in 1983 and is the highest award given to kindergarten to twelfth grade teachers who teach science, math and computer science.
Superintendent Craig Levis called the award an honor for both Luchka and Coventry Public Schools.
"We are so proud of you Kerri!" Western Coventry Principal Amy Anzalone wrote in an email bulletin.
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