News

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond honored seven outstanding math and science teachers from California. These individuals were finalists for the 2023 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). Of those seven, NVUSD's own Jonathan Southam, a teacher at New Technology High School, was selected. According to a press release issued by Superintendent Thurmond’s office, “Awards are given to teachers who teach science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and/or computer science from each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Department of Defense schools, and four U.S. territories (as a group). Each applicant must display subject mastery, appropriate use of instructional methods and strategies, lifelong learning, and leadership in education outside the classroom.”

Upon learning of the award, Superintendent Dr. Rosanna Mucetti shared, “We are incredibly proud, but not surprised, to learn that New Technology High School math teacher, Jonathan Southam was selected as a 2023 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. He Works incredibly hard and aims to provide high-quality, rigorous math instruction, every day, to his high school students. Congratulations, Jonathan!”

Mr. Southam shared, “I’m honored all around. I’m deeply honored to be nominated by a former student. I’m honored to represent our school and district and the work that we do for our students. Teaching is a practice that develops over time and I wouldn’t be the same person without my colleagues and students over the past 11 years. I want to thank all my schools: New Technology High School, Sonoma Valley High School, Redwood Middle School, Sonoma State, Chico State, Johns Hopkins, and the University of Nevada Reno. And of course, most importantly, thank you to my students, past and present, who have taught me the most. You all rock!”

Background (from State press release): Jonathan has been teaching for 10 years. He currently teaches Math I, Math III, and Precalculus. He has spoken at the California Mathematics Council North and South conferences as well as the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Annual Conference. He served as a STEM teacher mentor with Trellis Education in the San Francisco Bay Area to support middle school and high school STEM teachers in their first five years of teaching. The lesson Jonathan submitted was taught in his Precalculus class and explored the product law of logarithms.