College of Education graduate Sandra Eidson, a biology teacher at West Hall High School in Gainesville, was named recipient of the 1998 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching for Georgia by the National Science Foundation.

The award includes a $7,500 grant from the NSF for Eidson to promote science and math education at West Hall.

The Presidential Award of Excellence is the nation's highest commendation for math and science teachers. It is open to all public, private and parochial teachers with at least five years of experience.

Eidson, of Hoschton, was one of 214 winners from around the nation. Margaret Lee Tierce, a fifth-grade teacher at Hightower Trail Elementary in Rockdale County, was Georgia's only other recipient.

Eidson has taught for 21 years, the last 12 at West Hall. She received her doctorate in education from UGA. She was also named 1998 Georgia Science Teacher of the Year, 1996 STAR Teacher and was awarded a Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship and a GTE GIFT Fellowship and Grant.