Third-Grade Teacher at Woodland Hills Charter School Finalist for a Presidential Award

A third-grade teacher at a Woodland Hills charter school is one of the very best in the state, California Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson announced today, and is a finalist in the 2014 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.

Erica Rood is a third grade teacher at CHIME Charter School, where she has taught for six years. She has been a mentor teacher to several student teachers, according to a press release from Torlakson's office.

She strongly believes that other content areas can be taught through science. Ms. Rood is leading the implementation of the Next Generation Science Standards on campus. Her teaching has been videoed and photographed for several published books on co-teaching.

She is currently enrolled in a master’s program, STEM Education in Curriculum and Instruction at California State University, Northridge and the NASA Endeavor Leadership program.

Rood holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Southern California.

The National Science Foundation administers PAEMST on behalf of The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. PAEMST was enacted by Congress in 1983 and authorizes the president each year to bestow up to 108 awards.

PAEMST awards primary and secondary teachers in alternate years. Awards are given to mathematics and science teachers from each of the 50 states and four U.S. jurisdictions including Washington, D.C.; Puerto Rico; Department of Defense Schools; and the U.S. territories.