KYLE MURPHYStaff Writer

Tullahoma High School’s Dr. Candace Terry was presented a State of Tennessee Proclamation from State Rep. Rush Bricken for being one of four state finalists for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching (PAEMST) by the Tennessee Department of Education.

During the Tullahoma City Schools’ Board of Education Aug. 19 meeting, Bricken, who represents District 47, Bricken presented Terry with the state proclamation for not only being a PAEMST finalist, but for her work as a math teacher in TCS. Terry has spent 33 years of her career in education, which includes teaching mathematics at THS for the last 23 years. She received her master’s degree in Art of Teaching from Cumberland University in 2006, before receiving her Ph.D. in Math and Science Education from Middle Tennessee State University in 2018.

“We are here to honor a special teacher,” Bricken said. “I’m so proud of what you do and the difference you make.”

It was first announced in June that Terry was named as one of the four finalists for the PAEMST award by the state education department. The other finalists named were Allison Wright, Science, of Freedom Middle School in Franklin Special School District; Amy Hixon, Science, of Lincoln Heights Middle School in Hambien County Schools; and Jessica Dorbin of McCallie School.

The PAEMST award is the nation’s highest honor for United States K-12 science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and/or computer science teachers. The awards program is administered by the National Science Foundation (NSF) on behalf of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. Awardees are recognized for their contributions to teaching and learning, along with their ability to help students make progress in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and/or computer science. In addition to honoring individual achievement, the goal of the awards program is to showcase the highest standards of STEM teaching.

Bricken read out the proclamation to Terry, the school board and attendees as the meeting, which honored Terry for being named as one of the finalists.

“Dr. Terry is an inspiration to the faculty, staff and students alike of Tullahoma High School, and her friendship and council is highly valued by those who are fortunate to know her,” Bricken said as he read the proclamation. “Dr. Kerry truly epitomizes the dedicated educator, educator who is wholly committed to the highest ideals of public service, and quality education for all and she should be especially recognized now.”

However, in July NSF announced that it will pause the PAEMST award and the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM) programs until further notice. The announcement added that any nominations submitted during the previously scheduled FY 2025 submission window will not be considered, and there will not be any nominations and applications accepted for FY 2026.

“The pause allows NSF to conduct a comprehensive review of the programs,” NSF officials said in the announcement. “NSF remains committed to supporting the nation’s STEM teachers and mentors and looks forward to providing future updates.”

In a statement, TCS Communications Specialist Zach Birdsong said the district was not notified of the news until the end of August at the state reception for the PAESMT state finalists and Teachers of the Year.

“It is unfortunate that this program has been paused, as we would have enjoyed knowing who the two state winners were,” Birdsong told The News. “With all that said, though, we remain incredibly proud of Dr. Terry for being selected as one of the four finalists. She is truly an exceptional teacher, and she has inspired so many students during the course of her teaching career.”

For more information about NSF and the pause on the PAESMT program, go here.