St. Paul honors Harding teacher for national STEM award; FIRST LEGO League teams lauded

The St. Paul Public Schools Board of Education recognized several educators and students at its Feb. 18 meeting.

Anne Zilski, a chemistry teacher at Harding High School, was introduced as one of Minnesota’s recipients of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). Molly Liefeld (district science coordinator) and district leaders described the award as the federal government’s highest honor for K–12 STEM teachers, noted the demanding application process (reflective narrative, classroom video, letters of recommendation and evidence of instructional and leadership work) and highlighted Zilski’s mentoring, curriculum work and classroom approaches. Zilski spoke briefly and performed an original chemistry song for the board.

The board also recognized students participating in the FIRST LEGO League program, coordinated by the district’s alternative education department and organized by the nonprofit High Tech Kids with support from 3M. Jenny Retay described the program structure (robot coding, research project, and core values) and listed nine teams that advanced to the state championship on Feb. 16 from schools including Capitol Hill Gifted & Talented Magnet, East End Middle School, Highland Park Middle School, Horace Mann School, J. Ming Mandarin Immersion, Randolph Heights Elementary and others. Several students spoke about teamwork, leadership and their innovation projects.

The board extended congratulations to award winners and student teams and thanked volunteers, coaches and district STEM staff.