De Guzman is one of 102 teachers nationwide selected to receive the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, which includes a certificate signed by the president of the United States, a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation, and the opportunity to join the active network of more than 5,200 PAEMST educators throughout the nation.

Established by Congress in 1983, the award recognizes teachers who have deep content knowledge of the subjects they teach as well as the ability to motivate and enable students to be successful in those areas.

“Receiving the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching is humbling, rewarding, and affirming,” De Guzman said. “I feel honored to be recognized with other amazing educators who simply love what they do and are determined to make learning fun, meaningful, and relevant.”

De Guzman and the other awardees were recognized during a virtual ceremony in February hosted by the PAEMST program, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, and the National Science Foundation. 

“This award recognizes the hard work of our students, parents/guardians, colleagues, and our families and friends that support and invest in our profession and encourage and challenge us to be excellent in all that we do,” she said.

In addition to De Guzman’s bachelor’s in elementary education from UOG, she also holds a master’s in education in teaching and learning from Liberty University (Va.). She has taught with GDOE for 12 years and participated as a project member for the GDOE Technology Standards and Enhancing Education through Technology.

She has won numerous awards throughout her teaching career, including the 2019 Superhero Award presented by the GDOE Superintendent and Guam Education Board Chairman and the 2019 Sylvan’s Favorite Teacher Award. Additionally, De Guzman was one of six finalists for the Guam Teacher of the Year and a two-time recipient of the Teacher Wish List Grant.