A Perry Elementary School teacher was recognized as one of the top mathematics educators at a ceremony in Des Moines last week.

Governor Terry Branstand and Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds awarded the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science at the Iowa Historical Museum.  Five teachers in Iowa received the math award, including Perry’s Janna Bjork.

According to Superintendent Lynn Ubben, these awards are the nation’s highest honors for teachers of math and science.  She said Bjork does a great job with students and it’s great for Perry to get some positive recognition.

“It’s always neat to honor great teachers, in math, and history, and science, and teachers of the year.  We have many great teachers and obviously they can’t all be honored, but it was fun.  It’s good to give that recognition to Perry because wherever you are, you are a representative of Perry Community Schools.”

Bjork currently teaches kindergarten English Language Learners in Perry and previously served as a third grade math teacher.  Ubben says currently, Bjork is the district’s only Nationally Board Certified Teacher.