It is an incredible honor to be selected from a field of distinguished educators to receive the Presidential Award. My success was made possible through the support of community, colleagues, administration, and my students, who taught me that great teaching and learning comes not only from knowledge and passion, but also from compassion and understanding that each student is unique, with strengths and challenges — and my job is to help them maximize their strengths and conquer their challenges.

Lauree Gott Veazie, ME | K-6, Science, 2014

The official biography below was current at the time of the award.

Lauree Gott, an educator for 21 years, has taught fifth through eighth grade science and mathematics. Most recently, Lauree has been the Curriculum Leader for the Veazie Community School, as well as co-principal investigator for the Maine Elementary Sciences Partnership. As an ambassador of rigorous and relevant inquiry science, Lauree impacted the practices of hundreds of teachers in over 53 districts throughout Maine. As a recipient of many teaching awards and grants, Lauree provided opportunities for students to build and launch rockets, examine crime scenes, and hatch and release Atlantic salmon (partnering with local scientists to collect data on invasive species). Lauree taught Science Methods at Husson University, preparing future teachers to be leaders in elementary science education.  Lauree has presented professional development at the local, state, national, and international level, including the National Science Teachers Association and the International Biology Conference in Brazil. Through AMANTISS (a NASA-sponsored program), she mentored novice teachers in advancing space science. Lauree was a partner teacher in the National Science Foundation-funded GK–12 partnership with the University of Maine. Lauree has a B.S. in elementary education from the University of Maine and a M.S. in teachers of geoscience from Mississippi State University. 

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