Carthage High School Teacher Honored with Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching

Carthage High School Teacher, Autumn Palmer, Honored with Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching

Carthage High School is proud to announce that Autumn Palmer, a dedicated 10th–12th grade chemistry teacher, has been named a recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST)—the highest honor bestowed by the United States government for K-12 STEM teachers.

President Biden recently recognized 336 teachers and mentors across the country for their outstanding contributions to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. These educators play a vital role in shaping the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators.

Dr. Luke Boyer, Carthage Schools Superintendent, praised Mrs. Palmer’s accomplishment, stating: "Mrs. Palmer exemplifies the qualities this prestigious award seeks to honor. She is a master teacher whose dedication to excellence reflects the high standards of education we provide at Carthage. We are incredibly proud to celebrate her achievements."

Autumn Palmer, who has taught at Carthage High School for 26 years, exemplifies the qualities celebrated by this prestigious award. A certified eMINTS/METS instructor, she engages her students with innovative methods, including Virtual Reality technology, to deepen their understanding of chemistry. She also fosters hands-on learning through her work in laboratory settings, empowering students to explore scientific concepts in dynamic and interactive ways.

Dr. Angela Holman, Carthage High School principal, reflected on Mrs. Palmer’s recognition: "Mrs. Palmer’s selection for this award is a reflection of the impact she’s made over her 27-year teaching career. Her passion for chemistry and dedication to her students have inspired countless learners and brought pride to Carthage High School."

In addition to her classroom contributions, Autumn actively supports STEM learning beyond the school day. She assists with the Science Olympiad team, has coached the Stream Team to conduct environmental studies for the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, and organizes the schoolwide murder mystery project, where students play forensic scientists to solve fictional crimes using real-world scientific techniques.

Autumn’s expertise and passion for education extend to professional development, where she has presented at local, state, and national conferences, offering workshops on interdisciplinary activities and the integration of augmented and virtual realities into the classroom.

Autumn holds a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry from Missouri Southern State University and a Master of Science in Education with a chemistry emphasis from Pittsburg State University. Her previous accolades include being named Regional Teacher of the Year for Missouri and Secondary Educator of the Year by the Missouri State Teachers Association Southwest Region.

Reflecting on the recognition, Autumn shared, "There are so many wonderful educators that often do not receive the recognition they deserve. This award provides validation that there are great things happening in the classroom that have not gone unnoticed. It honors not only me, but my students, their families, and my colleagues. I want to continue to grow as an educator and to advocate for a profession that I am honored to belong to. I have grown through the Presidential Award process, and this journey is one I will forever be grateful for."

As part of the PAEMST honor, Autumn will receive a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation, which administers the program on behalf of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP).

Carthage R-9 School District is incredibly proud of Autumn Palmer for this national recognition. Her dedication to excellence in STEM education continues to inspire students and colleagues alike.

For more information about the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, visit www.paemst.org.

White House Press Release:

https://www.whitehouse.gov/ostp/news-updates/2025/01/13/president-biden-honors-more-than-300-americans-with-nations-highest-award-for-science-and-mathematics-teachers-and-mentors/?fbclid=IwY2xjawH19t9leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHexMs-pvue03MoV2BXe35rgKxdAFs-pUzSoC-2_ivCcWHnm2IG5oUCgluw_aem_4smbXBUCjSonEeo9KCa5sA