WASHINGTON — If homework time with the kids is sometimes a struggle, take heart.
President Barack Obama apparently feels your pain.
“He told some stories about his daughters needing help with their math homework and how he had a little trouble helping them with their ratios,” said Reenie McMains, an Omaha teacher honored Wednesday at the White House.
Obama met with the group of 80 teachers privately for about five minutes before the official press conference, McMains said. She said his stories demonstrated that Obama is a regular guy for whom education issues hit home.
McMains and the other teachers are the most recent recipients of the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, intended to single out the best pre-college-level science and math teachers nationwide. The award comes with a paid trip to Washington, professional development opportunities and a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation.
McMains teaches at King Science and Technology Magnet Middle School in the Omaha Public Schools.
The award recipients also include two Iowans: Michelle Harris, a fifth-grade teacher at Anita Elementary School, and Mary Black of Dubuque, who teaches at Irving Elementary School.
McMains said she was glad to hear Obama talk about the importance of preparing American children to compete globally in math and science.
And she had a personal moment of pride when Obama listed specific examples of the teachers’ accomplishments and cited field trips that McMains has organized to Costa Rica, where students help conduct conservation research.
McMains and the other teachers were scheduled to share their thoughts on Obama’s plans to improve math and science.
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