Long after the dismissal bell rings, many teachers can be found correcting papers, tutoring students who need extra help, and developing creative lesson plans. Earlier this year, an “A+” was given to 19 science teachers, all of whom were recipients of the annual Amgen Award for Science Teaching Excellence (AASTE).

AASTE, which the company established in 1992, recognizes extraordinary educators across the United States and Puerto Rico. Since AASTE’s creation, Amgen has awarded more than $1 million to science teachers.

“Teachers have the earliest and most profound influence of any members of society,” said Joe Miletich, Amgen’s senior vice president, Research and Development. “We at Amgen are absolutely committed to doing what we can to make sure that the profession of teaching is celebrated.”

The 2007 awards program will expand to honor 30 teachers from schools in communities where Amgen has key operating sites, including California, Colorado, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island and Washington. Teachers will be evaluated on their creativity in the classroom, development of best practices and motivation of students. Each winner will receive an unrestricted cash award of $5,000 and a restricted grant of $5,000 for his or her school to be used for the professional development of science teachers, the expansion or enhancement of science programs, or science resources.

To read profiles of the 2006 teachers who received the AASTE, click here.

To read more about the annual AASTE program, click here.

Nominations for the 2007 awards opened Nov. 2, 2006. For more information, click here.