SALT LAKE CITY — A Weber School District teacher is among Utah’s five finalists for a prestigious national award geared to science and math instructors across the United States.

Lanette (Stephens) Searle, who teaches at Municipal Elementary in Roy, is one of two science teacher finalists from the state for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, or PAEMST. The Utah State Board of Education announced the finalists on Friday.

“PAEMST is the highest honor bestowed by the United States government specifically for K-12 science, technology, engineering, mathematics and/or computer science teaching. Finalists serve as models for their colleagues, inspiration to their communities and leaders in the improvement of STEM education,” the state board said in a statement.

The other science teacher finalist from Utah is Ashly Hare, who teaches in the Salt Lake City School District. There are three math teacher finalists — Quinn Braden of the Alpine School District, Stacy Stoker of Juab School District and Cheri Weske of Granite School District.

The finalists’ applications will be reviewed and PAEMST awards will be given to two teachers from each state, one in math and one in science. Awardees will probably be announced during the summer or fall and will get $10,000 and a paid trip to Washington, D.C.

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