TWO public school teachers were recently awarded by the Department of Science and Technology-Science Education Institute for their exemplary work in STEM education with K-12 students in Region X and the National Capital Region.

Janice Baldelovar of the Don Restituto Central School in Region X was honored for her work in Mathematics education, while Don King Evangelista of Navotas National Science High School was feted for his Science teaching work at the Brightest Science Teacher Academy for the Regions Award ceremony held online on March 3, 2021.

They each received a cash prize of P100,000, a trophy, and a plaque of recognition.

The Brightest STAR Award is part of the STAR training program. The award is given to exemplary science and mathematics teachers who have been continuously applying their STAR training in their teaching practice.

DOST Secretary Fortunato De La Peña  called the finalists S&T champions and pioneers under the new normal.

Education Secretary Leonor M. Briones praised all the finalists, lauding their capacity and flexibility to provide high-quality, accessible, and safe  STEM education despite the uncertainties amid the pandemic.

“The pandemic has been a big game changer for all of us, particularly in the academe and most especially in STEM education,” said DOST-SEI Director Dr. Josette Biyo. “And yet, the STAR program continues to live up to its name by being a light and guide for our educators and students, even among our marginalized communities.”

There were 70 nominations for the STAR Award from 16 regions. Of these, only six national finalists were chosen, including Baldelovar and Evangelista. For Mathematics, these were Mark Joseph Pastor of Ilocos Norte College of Trades and Janeve Caballa of El Salvador Central School; for Science were Mark Joseph Cometa of Palina East National High School and Mark Anthony Leido of San Teodoro National High School. Each national finalist received a cash prize of P10,000 and a plaque of recognition.