David McDonald is a Finalist for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics & Science Teaching

Sidney High School Science teacher David McDonald is one of four state finalists eligible to receive a Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). PAEMST was founded in 1983 and has since awarded the nation's highest honor to more than 4,300 science and math K-12 teachers.

The application process consists of three components: Administrative, Narrative, and Video. McDonald started the application process in November of 2014 and completed it in March of this year. Applications are reviewed by a state committee and finalist's applications are then sent to a National Science Foundation appointed committee in Washington DC where recipients are chosen; the process can take more than twelve months.

McDonald teaches Physics II, Astronomy, Physical Science, Advanced Physical Science, Science Project, Chemistry, and GIS; this is his fifth time as a finalist. In the state of Montana, there were 19 teachers who submitted applications to be considered, and nine state finalists: five in mathematics and four in science. Educators from all 50 states and 4 US Jurisdictions will receive awards including a certificate signed by the President, a paid trip for two to Washington DC where there will be an award ceremony and professional development programs, and $10,000 from the National Science Foundation.