Two Hawaii teachers were recognized by President Barack Obama yesterday for their dedication to mathematics and science.

Teachers Liane Tanigawa and Seanyelle Yagi were among more than 100 educators recognized by Obama during a ceremony at the White House. Teachers were recognized for their excellence in science, technology, engineering and math education.

Tanigawa and Yagi were presented with the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.

A mathematics and science coach at Pearl Ridge Elementary School, Tanigawa said she was thrilled and humbled to be one of the educators selected for the presidential award.

“;This award reaffirms my educational beliefs that learning should be engaging and meaningful,”; she said in a written statement.

Yagi, a sixth-grade math teacher at Kalakaua Middle School, said the award recognizes her love for teaching and learning.

“;The award represents what is possible when you push yourself to give students opportunities for individual growth and accomplishment,”; she said in a statement.

During the ceremony, Obama emphasized that American students need to improve in math and science as the United States is being outpaced by other countries. A recent assessment indicated that 15-year-old Americans are ranked 21st in science and 25th in math compared with their peers around the world.

“;That's not acceptable,”; he said.

The shortage of educators who teach those subjects also continues to worsen.

As part of the Obama administration's “;Educate to Innovate”; campaign, several new public and private partnerships will provide additional training for more than 100,000 teachers and prepare more than 10,000 new teachers in the next five years. The administration's goal is to move American students to the top of the pack in math and science over the next decade.

“;Make no mistake: Our future is on the line. The nation that out-educates us today is going to out-compete us tomorrow,”; said Obama.