Liz Lynch, a STEM teacher at Patrick Henry Elementary School, has been selected as one of three Virginia finalists for the 2024 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.

The awards are the nation’s highest honor for K-12 science, technology, engineering, and math teachers, according to Martinsville City Public Schools.

The school district said Lynch was chosen as a state finalist by a review committee convened by the Virginia Department of Education for her exemplary math and science instruction, deep content knowledge, and ability to motivate students.

“I am so excited and humbled by this experience,” Lynch said. “I have loved all of the opportunities that have been offered to me by MCPS to grow my skills and engage our students, from participating STEM-based competitions to providing equitable, resource-rich learning for all our students.”

A 13-year veteran of MCPS, Lynch has worked as a 5th grade teacher at Albert Harris Elementary and Martinsville Prep Academy, 8th grade science at Martinsville Middle School, and is currently the STEM teacher at Patrick Henry Elementary.

Lynch is a two-time recipient of the Southwest Virginia Technology Consortium’s Technology Teacher Award and was selected by her colleagues at PHES as their school’s Teacher of the Year for the 2020-2021 school year.

She also serves as a coach for Odyssey of the Mind, First Lego League Lego Robotics, KidWind, and the King’s Dominion Roller Coaster Engineering Challenge.

Under her leadership, her Odyssey of the Mind team placed third in the world finals in 2020, and a second team is currently preparing to compete in this year’s global competition, a news release stated.

Her Lego Robotics teams have won state championships, and one advanced to Global Innovations, an honor reserved for the top 20 teams in the world.

“Throughout my career, I have never met a teacher who is more deserving of this recognition than Liz Lynch,” said PHES Principal Cameron Cooper. “No matter if it’s during the school day or as a part of our many after school programs like Robotics, Odyssey of the Mind, or Kid Wind, her passion for STEM-based learning is infectious for both the staff and students at Patrick Henry Elementary. She constantly goes above and beyond to help create a fun learning environment that, in turn, creates opportunities and experiences that will have a lasting impact on our students.”

A native of Buffalo, NY, Lynch holds a B.S. in Human Development and Learning from Lynchburg College (now Lynchburg University) and a M.Ed. in Interdisciplinary STEM from The Citadel.

The release said a national review committee will review all state finalists for the award and the winners will be announced by the White House later this year.