Auburndale Math Teacher Named Finalist for National Teaching Award

Sacramento, CA - CNUSD is proud to share that Scott Yakubovsky, math teacher at Auburndale Intermediate, has been named one of only five California finalists for the 2025 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). This prestigious recognition is the highest honor awarded by the U.S. government for K–12 educators in mathematics, science, engineering, and computer science.

Scott’s outstanding classroom teaching and commitment to student success earned him a spot among this year’s finalists and a chance to move forward for national consideration.

Each PAEMST applicant must demonstrate deep content knowledge, effective instructional strategies, a commitment to continuous learning, and leadership both inside and outside the classroom.

Scott currently teaches Math 7 Academy, Accelerated Math 7, and Integrated Math 1. He has been teaching for 14 years and serves as the math department chair at Auburndale. Previously, he worked as an instructional coach for CNUSD. He created a peer-to-peer leadership mentor program that helps eighth-grade students support incoming seventh graders as they adjust to middle school. Scott also co-developed a Summer Math Camp, coordinated his school’s Math Field Day, and has shared his expertise at the California Math Conference and with districts and colleges across the state. For his PAEMST lesson, he focused on using visual models to represent and solve equations.

The National Science Foundation administers the PAEMST on behalf of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond recognized the five California finalists, praising their leadership, innovation, and the inspiration they provide to students across the state.

Congratulations to Scott Yakubovsky on this well-deserved recognition!