Both Kentucky finalists in mathematics are from JCPS
By Mark Hebert
May 8, 2023—Two Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) teachers are among the finalists for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) award. Ben Molberger of Atherton High School and Marcus Blakeney of Fern Creek High School are the only finalists in mathematics from the state of Kentucky. The PAEMST are the highest honors bestowed by the United States government specifically for K-12 science, technology, engineering, and mathematics teaching.
This is the second time Molberger has been nominated for the prestigious award. He says in 2020, just being nominated was validation of the teaching he was doing during a pandemic.
“To be a finalist again just reaffirms that and says I didn’t get complacent," Molberger said. "I didn’t just start to think I’ve got this all figured out. I kept pushing myself.”
Molberger has been a math teacher for 12 years in JCPS, the first six at Doss High School.
“I genuinely love math,” he said. “So if even a little bit of my enthusiasm rubs off on students, I will count that as a win every time.”
As Molberger hopped from table to table in his Atherton classroom on a Thursday afternoon, sophomore students in the geometry class got calm, reassuring help with probability exercises they were working on together.
“I’m not surprised he got the award because he’s a really good teacher,” said sophomore Izabelle. “He’s very patient and explains things thoroughly when we don’t understand the concept.”
Jonathan, a sophomore, also praised Molberger saying, “He keeps students engaged for all 50 minutes of class, many times with hands-on work. Last week we made tissue boxes,” which helped the class understand some geometry concepts.
Molberger is hoping he learned enough about how to improve his application, resume, and recorded video lesson from last time that it might propel him to win the top award this year.
Blakeney is in his 12th year of teaching at Fern Creek High School. Principal Rebecca Nicolas said she would love it if both of her children had Blakeney as their high school math teacher.
“Mr. Blakeney is an amazing teacher,” Nicolas said. “He is always pushing himself to find new and innovative ways to teach math in ways that engage kids. He is constantly learning himself and doing what’s best for students.”
The PAEMST are administered by the National Science Foundation on behalf of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. There are 108 finalists from all 50 states and U.S. territories. The winners receive $10,000 from the National Science Foundation and a trip to Washington, D.C. for a series of award events.