NE North Dakota News

Amber Fyre, a graduate of Mayville State University in 2005, has been awarded the Presidential Award of Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). This award is the highest honor given by the U.S. Government to K-12 STEM teachers. The National Science Foundation administers PAEMST on behalf of The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. Fyre's accolade includes a $10,000 prize and an invitation to visit the White House.

Upon receiving news of her selection, Amber stated, "The Presidential Award celebrates and acknowledges educators who provide authentic and engaging classrooms. This award is not just an award for me, but an award from my colleagues and mentors who pushed me to be better, to reach all students, and to try new strategies. It is validation of the passion and time required to create authentic and meaningful learning opportunities. I am surrounded by amazing educators and students who teach me daily, and I am humbled to be a recipient of the award."

Amber teaches grades 7 through 12 at Wyndmere Public School in North Dakota as their sole science teacher. Her subjects include life science, earth science, physical science, biology, chemistry, physics, anatomy, ecology, and physical education. Before joining Wyndmere Public School, she taught at Milnor Public School.

Fyre collaborates with colleagues to form Professional Learning Communities (PLC) for staff development. She organized a breakout session for southeast North Dakota teachers on integrating STEM into classrooms and helped them develop STEM days for their schools. Additionally, Amber leads presentations focused on identifying power standards to guide curriculum development.

In her physics class, she uses the Innovation System Project for the Increased Recruitment of Emerging STEM Students (InSPIRESS) outreach program in collaboration with the University of Alabama and NASA.

Each year up to 110 educators may receive recognition from the White House for their commitment to education through this program established by Congress in 1983.

Scott Strenge, Principal at Wyndmere High School remarked: "Mrs. Fyre has brought a NASA engineering program to Wyndmere School district and is our lead facilitator for past school-wide STEAM Days."

Throughout her 19-year teaching career at Wyndmere since 2010, Amber has educated future professionals including chiropractors, eye doctors, physical therapists, medical doctors, pharmacists, and dentists.

"She is an exceptional science teacher and has had a huge impact on all our students since 2010," said Strenge.

Amber Fyre hails from Mayville in North Dakota. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in composite biology and physical education from Mayville State University along with a Master’s degree from North Dakota State University.

Other Mayville State graduates who have received this prestigious PAEMST Award include Andrew Braaten; John Hobbs; Delise Kirkeide; Ila LaChapelle; Neil Pederson; Fred Strand; Lawrence Walker; Nancy Zimney.