California teacher Khamphet Pease, who earned a coveted PAEMST in 2020, works to increase access to STEM education for under-represented students. Photo Credit: San Diego Union-Tribune
I always enjoy bringing attention to exemplary teachers from all over the United States. Today I would like to share the story of an outstanding elementary school STEM teacher from San Diego, California: Khamphet Pease.
Khamphet earned a 2020 coveted Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). This prestigious honor recognizes the dedication, hard work, and important role that America’s teachers play in supporting learners who will become future STEM professionals, including computer technologists, climate scientists, mathematicians, innovators, space explorers, and engineers. The honor comes with a $10,000 cash prize.
The honor is the fulfillment of the American Dream for her, says Khamphet. “My family and I arrived in the US as Laotian refugees with one dollar in our pockets and the hope that our new country would provide for a better life,” she explains. “Through hard work and the support of many, I have been able to reach the highest levels of my profession as an educator,” she continues. “I hope that my story inspires my students and others to strive towards greatness in their passions,” she concludes.
Khamphet has spent her entire 17-year teaching career at Woodrow Wilson Middle School in San Diego. She instructs STEM courses including Intro to Coding; Gateway to Technology: Design & Modeling; Automation & Robotics; and Computer Science for Innovators & Makers. In her classroom, the honored educator works tirelessly to increase access to STEM education for under-represented students including minority students, girls, and children from lower socioeconomic families. Through her curriculum, she focuses on project-based learning such as developing apps, games, and products that address a variety of local community issues. To extend her classroom curriculum, she founded the Wilson Robotics Club in 2012 where her students participate in robotics competitions like Botball and First Lego League (FLL).
In addition to her PAEMST, Khamphet has earned many accolades. In 2022, she garnered a San Diego Outstanding Educator Award from the Society of Women Engineers. That same year, she was honored by the Computer Science Teachers Association. In 2021, she was named the Outstanding K-12 Engineering Educator by the San Diego County Engineering Council. In 2019, she earned the National Center for Women & Information Technology Educator Award. In 2015, she was named San Diego County Teacher of the Year.
Khamphet earned her Bachelor’s degree in General Biology with a minor in Psychology and her Master’s degree in Curriculum Design and Teaching, both from the University of California, San Diego. In addition, she is certified to teach Gifted and Talented Education. She has a supplementary authorization in Computer Concepts and Applications and a credential in Career Technical Education with an emphasis in Engineering and Architecture.
To read more about Khamphet, see this article published in the San Diego Union-Tribune.
