THOUSAND OAKS : Teacher Is Finalist for National Award

A second-grade teacher from Thousand Oaks is one of three California finalists for the 1990 Presidential Awards for Excellence in teaching elementary math.

Christina Myren has taught at Acacia Elementary School for three years and in the Conejo Valley Unified School District throughout her 21-year career.

The finalists, and three others in science, were chosen from among more than 2,000 competing teachers.

Myren, 44, has taught math to teachers at Cal Lutheran University and Cal State Northridge. She is on the editorial panel of the California Mathematics Council Communicator, a quarterly publication for math instructors, and has lectured nationally for the Center for Innovation and Education in Teaching, an organization for primary school teachers.

“In my mind, she’s the best,” said Acacia Principal Gail Lowe, who praised Myren for “the way she interacts with kids.”

“And,” Lowe added, “she has a strong knowledge of learning theory and is able to merge the two beautifully.”

Fifty-four Presidential Award winners in elementary math will be picked in August from 162 U.S. finalists, along with 54 winners in elementary science. Each winner will receive a trip to Washington and $7,500 for improving math or science programs at his or her school.

“I’m just happy to get this far,” Myren said. “If I don’t get to the national level, this would still be wonderful.”