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Kimberly Spencer made use of the school's garden to teach math to second- and third-graders.

By DENNIS HOEY, Staff Writer July 10, 2009

Kimberly Spencer used a vegetable garden to win one of the most prestigious teaching awards in the United States.

Spencer was named Thursday as one of two teachers from Maine who will receive the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.

Spencer, who teaches at Yarmouth Elementary School, was selected along with Pamela Thompson, a teacher at Madison Elementary School in Somerset County.

"I love this age group. Their enthusiasm and willingness to learn new things is just wonderful," said Spencer, a 36-year-old Yarmouth resident.

Spencer said a math lesson based on the amount of carrots that could be grown in the garden outside her classroom served as the basis for her award.

She said her second- and third-grade students used multiplication tables to figure out how many carrots could be grown in several triangle-shaped plots.

"My classroom just happens to overlook the garden. It's a special place for all of us," said Spencer, who was named Yarmouth's teacher of the year for 2008.

Like many elementary-level teachers, Spencer has to be a generalist when it comes to teaching. She not only teaches math lessons, but reading and other subjects.

"I feel really blessed and honored to be able to do this. It's a very rewarding time in these students' lives," Spencer said.

The Maine winners each will receive a citation signed by President Obama; a paid trip for two to Washington, D.C., to attend a weeklong series of recognition events and professional development programs; and $10,000 from the National Science Foundation to be used at their discretion.

Obama announced on Thursday that more than 100 teachers from across the country had been recognized. Ceremonies will be held in the fall.

Congress enacted the presidential teaching awards program in 1983.

Staff Writer Dennis Hoey can be contacted at 791-6365 or at:

dhoey@pressherald.com