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Wesley Morgan, a science teacher at Springville High School, was nominated for Utah’s 2023 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.

Courtesy Nebo School District

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Karen Feld, a math teacher at American Fork Junior High School, was nominated for Utah’s 2023 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.

Courtesy Alpine School District

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On Monday, the Utah State Board of Education announced two Utah County teachers as finalists for Utah’s 2023 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching: Wesley Morgan, a Springville High School science teacher in the Nebo School District, and Karen Feld, an American Fork Junior High School mathematics teacher in the Alpine School District.

This award from the U.S. government through the National Science Foundation is the highest distinction that can be given to K-12 STEM teachers. Two of the five Utah finalists will be selected as winners by a committee, which will be announced by the White House later in 2023.

Winners will be given “a certificate signed by the President of the United States, a paid trip for two to Washington D.C. to attend a series of recognition events, and a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation,” according to a press release from the Utah State Board of Education.

“Alpine School District congratulates Karen Feld on her 2023 Presidential Award nomination She is an outstanding classroom teacher committed to helping every student be successful. She is a leader at the school and strives to continually get better in her teaching practice,” said David Stephenson, executive director of external relations and communications for the Alpine School District.

Morgan said he learned about the award from physics teachers he follows on Twitter, who suggested he apply and gave him advice on how to fill out the more detailed parts of the application.

“I am excited to be a state finalist,” he said. “But I also hope that the state will do more to support all teachers who are going above and beyond what we are asked to do. I don’t think most people realize how much time it takes to be a good teacher. Planning high-quality lessons and adapting them every year to the needs of my students is a huge effort. I wouldn’t be the teacher I am today without Duane Merrell, who received this award in 1994. He trained physics teachers at (Brigham Young University) for almost 20 years, helping teachers around the state make their lessons more hands-on and engaging.”

Morgan plans to donate to help the homeless and hungry in Utah as well as take his wife and three children on a trip to Disneyland if he wins this award.

“This is such an honor to have one of our Springville High science teachers, Wesley Morgan, recognized at the state level for his excellence in teaching,” said Lana Hiskey, communications and community relations administrator for Nebo School District. “Mr. Morgan connects well with his students and supports them in their success. He focuses on hands-on learning, and the students are involved in labs nearly every day. These labs help bring relevancy to what they are learning. Mr. Morgan helps prepare students for college and career success. We are certainly proud of Mr. Morgan and the legacy he is creating in physics at Springville High.”

Other finalists included math teachers Todd Vawdrey of West High School in the Salt Lake City School District, Melissa Brown of Riverton High School in the Jordan School District, and science teacher JoAnne Brown of Olympus Junior High School in the Granite School District.

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