One in a Million: Kinnett earns national award for math teaching excellence

January 31, 2025

Amy Kinnett’s numerous classroom leadership qualities have netted her the top honor a math teacher can receive in the nation.
 
Kinnett learned Jan. 13 that she had collected the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). The PAEMST is the highest award that K-12 teachers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects can earn from the United States government. Nominees must complete a rigorous application process that includes evaluations from prominent mathematicians, scientists and educators at state and national levels.

Kinnett said it is fulfilling to guide students on their math adventures. One of her recent lessons at Dawes Middle School focused on how to set up long division problems. One student’s eyes lit up as he realized how to add zeroes to make the equation work.
 
“I love helping kids when they feel like something is hard and they can’t succeed, and then getting past that challenge and seeing how proud they are of themselves,” Kinnett said. “I love helping them over that barrier.”


 
Multiple Lincoln Public Schools leaders said it would take many fingers and toes to count the ways Kinnett has been a role model in her classroom. She began teaching at LPS in August 2007 and has led students at Meadow Lane Elementary School, Lakeview Elementary School and Dawes Middle School. She currently teaches Math 6 and Math Lab courses to sixth graders at Dawes.
 
Dawes Principal Liz Miller said Kinnett’s dedication to her craft has paid dividends for many Diamondbacks. She said Kinnett’s belief in every student is a primary reason for her success.
 
“Amy’s commitment to maximizing each lesson ensures each student grows in their math knowledge and skills,” Miller said. “In addition, Amy supports students holistically by focusing on the impact of positive mindset, effort and growth, which in turn increases student motivation to engage in new and challenging learning.”


 
Susie Katt has worked at LPS since 1996 and is currently the school district’s K-2 mathematics coordinator. She said Kinnett’s reputation for effective teaching stretches back to her time leading kindergarten classes at Lakeview. Kinnett taught kindergarten for seven years and showcased her math instruction skills on a daily basis.
 
“Amy believed that it was her responsibility to help her kindergarten students develop a strong foundation of mathematical concepts and processes,” Katt said. “She held high expectations for her young learners, always encouraged them to explain ‘why’ and ‘how’ and helped students connect new ideas to prior knowledge.
 
“Students truly saw themselves as mathematicians because of her teaching. These things are very important so kindergarteners get off to a good start in their mathematical learning journeys.”


 
LPS K-12 Curriculum Specialist for Mathematics Josh Males has watched Kinnett pass on her love of math to hundreds of elementary and middle school students. He said her leadership skills and hardworking approach to her profession have made her a shining star.
 
“Amy does an amazing job of getting all of her students engaged and discussing mathematics with each other,” Males said. “She is incredible at helping students make connections with each other and creating an environment where students are willing to trust each other and try something when they may not know exactly what to do next.”
 
Kinnett applied for the PAEMST in 2022 and patiently waited to learn if she would receive the honor. A state selection committee evaluates each nominee’s STEM knowledge, student assessment expertise, leadership skills and teaching strategies. The committee forwards its recommendations to the White House Office of Science and Technology and the National Science Foundation.

An e-mail from Washington, D.C., entered Kinnett’s inbox early in the morning on Jan. 13 announcing her PAEMST selection. She didn’t realize she had officially won until Males sent her a congratulatory message just before 8 a.m. that day.

“It came out of nowhere, and it was a very big surprise,” Kinnett said. “I felt really proud and just amazed to be included in that group of people.”
 
She said former University of Nebraska-Lincoln math professor Jim Lewis made a transformational difference in her life. Kinnett took his classes at UNL and later enrolled in the Primarily Math graduate program for primary grade teachers. She has served as co-teacher of Primarily Math and tries to replicate Lewis’ encouragement for others.
 
“He was the first person that really made me feel like I could make a difference and learn how to teach math,” Kinnett said.


 
Kinnett holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from UNL and owns a specialist certification in elementary math. She has been a district mentor teacher, led after-school math clubs for LPS students and served on a team that updated the state math standards. She has also guided district and building professional development sessions at LPS.
 
Kinnett said she wants to continue helping students experience exponential growth in every aspect of their lives.
 
“It’s exciting for them because then they can take that confidence on to the next thing they do,” Kinnett said. “There’s a lot of kids who have anxiety when it comes to math, so just building up their confidence and getting a growth mindset so they realize, ‘I don’t know it yet, but I have the capability to learn it and I just have to keep persevering.’”

Learn more about our math curriculum at home.lps.org/math.

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Published: January 31, 2025, Updated: January 31, 2025

Dawes Middle School teacher Amy Kinnett smiles in front of math posters her sixth grade students made in her classroom. Kinnett was honored for her teaching talents this month with the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. It is the highest award that K-12 teachers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics subjects can earn from the United States government.