ATLANTA, GA (TIP):  Atlanta’s Rajini Sundararaj is one of the recipients of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science Teaching from Georgia, the nation’s highest honor for STEM education. The award recognizes her significant contributions to the teaching profession and her impact in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). “I’m honored to dedicate this prestigious Presidential Award recognition to my family, friends, colleagues, school administrators, community, and all those who have made a significant impact on my journey to where I’m today,” Sundarraj said.
On January 13, 2025, the President announced 336 teachers and mentors from around the nation as recipients of the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) and the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM). Sundarraj is one among six other teachers recognized in the state of Georgia.
With over 20 years of teaching experience and a deep passion for making STEM accessible, Sundararaj has touched the lives of thousands of students across India, the Middle East, and America. Through her work in multiple metro Atlanta, Title I high schools with predominantly low-income students, she has served, empowered, and uplifted them by expanding educational opportunities through STEM.
Originally from Puliamarathupalayam, Coimbatore, India, Sundarraj holds a master’s degree from PSG College of Arts and Science in Coimbatore and an Educational Specialist degree from Lincoln Memorial University, in Tennessee.
Sundarraj’s journey to the U.S. began through the Global Teaching Recruitment and Resource (GTRR) program, which brings highly qualified educators from around the world to American classrooms. “GTRR is more than just an organization; it has been a life-changing platform, offering countless teachers the opportunity to share their expertise in the U.S. I am proud to be one of them,” she said. Sundarraj expressed her gratitude to Dr. Paddy Sharma, who, through GTTR, helped her set foot in the U.S.
Rajini’s remarkable contributions to science education have been widely recognized. Rajini has received numerous awards at regional and national levels, including being named the Presidential Awardee for Excellence in Science Teaching, the K-12 STEM Community Builder Award, and the National Science Foundation (NSF) Paul A. Duke Georgia Intern Fellowships for Teachers (GIFT) Action Plan Teacher Achievement Award. Additionally, she was honored as the National Region III Magnet Teacher of the Year (comprised of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands), the National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS) Educator of Distinction, and the recipient of the NSHSS Innovation in Teaching Educator Grant Award. Sundararaj has also been recognized as the Clayton County STAR Teacher and received the Outstanding Teaching Achievement Award for her exceptional results in IGCSE and GCE A-Level exams under the Cambridge curriculum in the Middle East, further underscoring her dedication to fostering the next generation of scientists and innovators.
PAEMST is the highest recognition that a kindergarten through 12th grade science, technology, engineering, or mathematics teacher may receive for outstanding teaching in the United States.
Nominees undergo a rigorous application process to demonstrate content expertise and adaptability to diverse learners and teaching environments. A panel of mathematicians, scientists, and educators’ reviews nominations and recommends awardees to the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP).
Presidential Awardees receive a certificate signed by the President of the United States, a trip to Washington D.C. to attend a series of recognition events and professional development opportunities, and a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation.
Awardees also join an active network of outstanding educators from throughout the nation. Since 1983, more than 5,500 teachers have been recognized for their contributions in the classroom and to their profession. Awardees reflect the expertise and dedication of the Nation’s teaching corps, and they demonstrate the positive impact of excellent teachers on student achievement.