The PAEMST awards are among the most coveted for mathematics and science teachers. National Science Foundation sponsorship and collaborative awardee selection with the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy validate its special nature. The application process revealed a sincere focus on instructional practices and student preparation, endearing the honor to me even more. Nomination by a parent was humbling, as was becoming a State Finalist. National recognition is thrilling!

Leah Peavey Brookhaven, MS | 7-12, Science, 2023

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

Leah Ann Peavey is a 29-year educator, the last nine of which have been spent teaching grades 9-12 Polymer Science I & II at Brookhaven Technical Center. Prior, she taught Advanced Placement and Chemistry I & II for 20 years across high schools in Louisiana and Mississippi. Before becoming an educator, Leah Ann spent 11 years in industrial process and product development positions, experiences that fueled a passion for STEM and inform her instruction. As a Career & Technical Education (CTE) teacher, Leah Ann provides rigor and relevance through project and inquiry learning, hands-on experiences, industry tours and activities, live and virtual STEM professional interviews, and statewide competitions. She designs targeted instruction that fosters both content mastery and soft skills development, such as technical writing and presentation building and delivery. Outside of her program, Leah Ann strives to encourage diversity and interest in STEM for all ages. She helped organize and served on the panel for a local community college Women in STEM conference and led a summer STEM enrichment camp for fifth graders. She and her students host a STEM discovery day each year. Actively involved in statewide curriculum development, Leah Ann also shares best practices with STEM educators at annual Mississippi Association for Career & Technical Education conferences and mentors new teachers. Leah Ann holds a B.S. in polymer science from the University of Southern Mississippi and Master of Science in Teaching from Jackson State University. She is grades 7-12 certified in CTE-Polymer Science, Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics. Leah Ann is also National Board Certified in CTE/Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood-Engineering, Design, and Fabrication.

Know a great teacher like Leah Peavey? Nominate them for PAEMST!