Local teacher receives presidential award

Whitefish Middle School science teacher William "Tim" Joern received the 2007 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, the nation's highest honor for teaching in these fields.

"While I am honored to receive this award, it pales in comparison to the honor I receive each day working with an outstanding staff of teachers, administrators and support personnel," he said.

Joern is the only science winner from Montana and one of 99 teachers nationwide to receive the award.

"We are delighted to have an opportunity to honor the teachers with these events," National Science Foundation director Arden Bement, Jr. said. "Excellent teachers are crucial to our children's success in science and mathematics, and they have a tremendous impact on their students' future interests and pursuits. As a nation, our future innovation and competitiveness depends upon young people who have a solid foundation in these disciplines and an interest in further study."

Joern wholeheartedly agrees that as a nation, America needs to reassess its commitment to quality science and math education, particularly in regard to those disciplines' link to the economy. He believes the shift is beginning to happen.

And although overall he's extremely pleased with the science program at Whitefish Middle School, he is a bit discouraged and puzzled by a recent decision to cut sixth-grade science from five days a week to three, replacing it with daily music.

"I'm surprised the parents haven't asked questions," Joern said. "Quite simply, down the road, you'll either be a nerd or you'll be working for a nerd."

Joern will receive a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation, the federal agency that administers the awards program on behalf of the White House. He said he plans to spend the money on "something special" for his mother and "something to do with fly-fishing."

He also received a trip for two to Washington, D.C., for a week of celebratory events. During his stay in Washington D.C. last week, he carved out time to visit Sen. Jon Tester's office. Calls to Sen. Max Baucus were not returned, and Rep. Denny Rehberg was too busy to meet with him. Joern said Tester was a "gracious host."

"He provided a staff member to take me on a private tour of the capital," he said.

Joern received his bachelor's in biology with a minor in mathematics and chemistry from Cameron University in Oklahoma and a master's in biology from the University of Louisiana-Lafayette. He is currently working toward his doctorate of education in curriculum instruction from University of Montana-Missoula. He expects to deliver his dissertation next fall.

"But I have no aspirations to go anywhere," he said. "I love my job that much. And leave Whitefish? People would kill to live here."

Joern has been teaching science at Whitefish Middle School for 18 years, where he started the school's Science Club for physics and chemistry activities outside the classroom. He has also taught science and computers at schools in Montana, Texas and Louisiana.

A popular teacher with high expectations, Joern has promoted use of technology in the middle school science program, including computers and state-of-the-art "probeware." He is known for instilling in his students the desire to explore new options and look at situations in different ways.

"I count my blessings every day, with regard to my teaching career," Joern said. "And this team, we're like family. They share my success."