JOHNSTOWN —
An area teacher was among 103 mathematics and science educators named by President Barack Obama as recipients of the prestigious Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.
Becky Piscitella, a math instructor at Richland High School, was the only teacher from Pennsylvania to receive the award.
The Windber woman, who learned Monday afternoon that she had been chosen, said she was very excited.
“It’s so nice to be recognized for the work that you do daily – that often goes unnoticed,” she said.
Thomas Fleming Jr., Richland superintendent, called Piscitella a hard-working educator.
“We’re extremely proud to have one of our teachers recognized for this award,” Fleming said. “She is very deserving of this honor.”
Piscitella teaches 11th-grade math, a critical subject for juniors due to PSSA testing as well as SATs.
“She takes a lot of personal responsibility in our students’ achievements in math,” Fleming said.
The award is given annually to the best pre-college level science and mathematics teachers from across the country. The winners are selected following an initial selection process done at the state level.
Piscitella said she applied for the award in May 2009 at the urging of her former Pitt-Johnstown adviser.
Her application had to include a video and accompanying article on a lesson.
Piscitella said she was chosen for her ability to teach a complicated topic in a way that made it more understandable to the students.
Winners receive a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation to be used at their discretion.
They also receive an expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., for an awards ceremony and several days of educational and celebratory events, including visits with members of Congress and science agency leaders.
Piscitella, who earned her bachelor’s degree from Pitt-Johnstown and a master’s from IUP, said her prize money will got toward paying off her student loans.
While the money will be appreciated, she also is thrilled at the prospect of meeting the leader of the country.
“To meet the president – I can only imagine,” she said. “It’s an absolute honor.”
Piscitella and her husband, Thomas III, have three children: Zane, 10; Veta, 8; and Mia, 4.
She and her husband, along with a friend, are renovating and opening the Windber Hotel.
She is the daughter of Dave and Carol Cadwallader, formerly of Portage.
Local News
Related Photos
-
Becky Piscitella Submitted Photo
Discussion
Richland math teacher earns national award
- Local News
-
- Today's Thunder schedule
-
READY TO ROLL: Vendors prepped for rally
Food vendors, merchandise sellers and bar operators alike spent Wednesday afternoon turning downtown Johnstown into a vibrant hub for the thousands of motorcycle riders expected to roll into the city for Thunder in the Valley.
-
Thunder expected to draw little rain
Motorcyclists should encounter typical June weather when they ride into Johnstown for this year’s Thunder in the Valley.
-
Richland event gets head start
Hundreds of motorcyclists and others got a head start on Thunder in the Valley on Wednesday evening with Richland Bike Bash.
-
School safety targeted Measure would boost spending by 1,900%
A measure that would provide as much as $10 million in new grant dollars, including funding to help compensate local governments for placing police officers in schools, has been approved by a House education committee.
-
Janakovic named to fill deputy mayor position
Johnstown City Councilman Frank Janakovic is going to receive some mayoral training before likely taking over the job full time in January.
-
Flight 93 photo to sail with Somerset
Valencia McClatchey’s haunting “The End of Serenity” photograph will soon be enshrined aboard the USS Somerset.
-
Trial over death centers on ‘Elaine push’
The “Elaine push,” popularized in the 1990s television sitcom “Seinfeld,” kept the jury out of the courtroom and occupied the attention of a judge and two lawyers much of Wednesday morning on the opening day of the trial for a man who police said pushed his best friend, leading to that man’s death.
-
Humane society: Starving horses removed from farm
Seven emaciated horses were seized recently from a farm in Somerset County after authorities said they were found badly underweight and without food and water.
An eighth horse had to be put down because of its poor condition. -
Suspect charged with 2nd diamond ring theft
The Johnstown man jailed on charges that he stole a $6,000 diamond ring from a store in The Galleria in Richland Township is accused of stealing another ring from a different store in the mall.
- More Local News Headlines
Ex-Hit Man's Past Is a Shock to Some Neighbors
Fans: Gandofini 'Put New Jersey on the Map'
Does Future of Human Race Depend on Kansas Mine?
Reining in 'Bad News' Sports Parents
James Gandolfini Dies at Age 51
Fmr. TWA Flight 800 Investigators Want New Probe
Raw: Heat, Spurs Back on Court Ahead of Game 7
Dolce and Gabbana Convicted of Tax Evasion
Paris, Prince Depositions Used in Jackson Trial
Coiffed Cattle Get Their Close-up
In Berlin, Obama Channels Cold War Activism
Police at Patriots Tight End's Home for 2nd Day
Fed Suggests Bond Purchases Could Slow
AP: DOJ Broke Own Rules Seizing Phone Records
Raw: Baby White Rhino Debuts at Australian Zoo
Time Lapse: Rebuilding Bridge Post-collapse
Ohio Woman Accuses 3 of Holding Her Captive
Hunt for Ex-Teamster Boss Hoffa's Remains Ends
