The Presidential Award represents excellence in STEM education and highlights the continued efforts of educators across the country to spark curiosity in students in all grades. Being chosen as a winner of this award is not only a tremendous honor, but a recognition of the many educators who have supported me throughout my career. As Newton said, "If I have seen further than others, it is because I have stood on the shoulders of giants." I am humbled to join this elite group of PAEMST awardees.

Karen Sleno Flushing, MI | 7-12, Mathematics, 2023

The official biography below was current at the time of the award.

Karen Sleno has taught at Flushing High School for the past 30 years. She previously taught for two years at Nouvel Catholic Central High School. Karen has been an adjunct instructor at Mott Community College since 2001 and an Advanced Placement Calculus BC instructor at the Center for Talented Youth at Johns Hopkins University since 2022. Karen currently teaches AP Calculus AB and BC, AP Precalculus, and Consumer Math to 10th-12th grade students. In her role as department coordinator since 2000, she has led teachers through curriculum changes, new course development, and several textbook reviews. Karen coached the school’s quiz bowl team for 28 years, clinching the state championship in 2016. One of her proudest achievements at Flushing High School is the implementation of a mathematics honor society in 2003, Mu Alpha Theta. Students in this organization explore mathematical topics with each other and learn applications far beyond the classroom. Their enthusiasm for the subject has enabled the group to grow significantly in recent years. Outside of the classroom, Karen is an AP Calculus and Precalculus consultant for the College Board where she conducts workshops for teachers around the world each summer. She is also a member of the AP Calculus Test Development Committee as well as a Texas Instruments instructor. Finally, she works with the team at Calc Medic to support AP teachers by designing activities and contributing to the weekly email blog. Karen has a B.S., summa cum laude, in mathematics and English at Saginaw Valley State University and an M.A. in mathematics at Oakland University. She is certified to teach mathematics, English, and psychology, and is a Level 2 certified Google instructor. She was honored as a 2022 Michigan Regional Teacher of the Year.

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