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Harry O’Malley, co-director of UB’s Gifted Math Program, has been named a recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST).

Bestowed by the White House, the PAEMST is the nation’s highest honor for K-12 STEM teachers, recognizing exceptional educators who demonstrate innovation, deep subject knowledge and an unwavering commitment to student success.

This award, established by Congress in 1983, highlights educators who inspire students and advance STEM education. Each recipient receives a certificate signed by the president, a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation and an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., for a ceremony and professional development opportunities.

“It’s a huge honor and a moment to reflect,” says O’Malley, adjunct professor in the Department of Learning and Instruction, Graduate School of Education. “Teaching can be a grind — it’s not always a career with immediate, positive feedback loops. So, this award serves as a kind of validation, a recognition of quality work over the years.”

O’Malley, who has served as co-director of the  for the past seven years and as an educator at UB and Casey Middle School for more than 15 years, is no stranger to leadership and innovation in mathematics education. The Gifted Math Program, which recently celebrated its 45th anniversary, provides a rigorous mathematics curriculum for exceptional students in grades 7 through 12 across Western New York.

“The biggest benefit of the Gifted Math Program is that students get to be around others who share their enthusiasm for math,” O’Malley explains. “It’s rare for students to find a peer group that truly enjoys sitting around and discussing mathematical concepts just for the love of it.”

Under O’Malley’s leadership, the program has continued its mission to challenge and inspire young scholars while cultivating positive attitudes toward academic rigor and problem-solving. The program’s graduates have gone on to attend some of the nation’s top universities, where they have excelled in fields including mathematics, science, business, law and education.

Anne Izydorczak, co-director of the Gifted Math Program, agrees that one of the most valuable aspects of the program is that students remain together from seventh grade through graduation.

“They build strong, lasting relationships, and when they stand together at graduation, you can see the camaraderie and excitement they share,” Izydorczak says.

For Izydorczak, O’Malley’s award is an opportunity to raise awareness of the Gifted Math Program and ensure its continued success in serving exceptional students — just as it has since its founding in 1979 by Gerald R. Rising, SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor Emeritus in Learning and Instruction, and Betty J. Krist, professor emerita and former chair of mathematics at Buffalo State University.

“We hope this award brings more awareness to the program and the incredible opportunities it offers,” she says.

It’s also a moment to celebrate the transformative power of dedicated educators like O’Malley, who are changing the lives of students.

“We talk about how the program impacts students and we think about it in terms of putting more thinkers into the world — not just people who go into math and science, but real contributors,” Izydorczak says. “They’ve had the opportunity to develop their intellect in ways they might not have otherwise.

“They’re truly living up to their potential and going out into the world ready to make an impact. And it makes me feel good to know that.”