Author: Tammy Lane • First Posted: Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Carlos Verdecchia (Photo: Tammy L. Lane)

Carlos Verdecchia, who teaches AP Biology at Bryan Station High School, is a 2011 All-American Teacher of the Year as chosen by the National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI).

Verdecchia is one of three Kentucky teachers among the 23 national honorees. He will receive a cash award and recognition at a May 26 awards luncheon in Washington, D.C.

“It is always great to see when one of our folks gets recognized for their hard work and super efforts they put in with their students,” said David Helm, the middle and high school science content specialist for Fayette County Public Schools.

The NMSI awards cite outstanding math, science and English teachers for remarkable contributions to their students and to the teaching profession. They are presented to teachers participating in NMSI’s Advanced Placement Training and Incentive Program. (Schools in APTIP for the past two years in six states showed a 97.7 percent increase in AP exams passed in math, science and English, which is seven times the national average.)

The non-profit NMSI focuses on improving the public school system by replicating programs nationally that have documented success. It was launched in 2007 by top leaders in business, education and science to reverse the United States’ troubling decline in math and science education.