Industry leaders honored two Treasure Valley teachers Wednesday for excelling within the STEM disciplines of science, technology, engineering and math.

Kellie Taylor from Galileo STEM Academy in Eagle and Guy Falconer from Sage International School in Boise received the Industry’s Excellent Educators Dedicated to STEM (INDEEDS) Award during the Idaho Technology Council’s “Idaho’s Hall of Fame and Innovation Awards” ceremony, according to a news release issued by Gov. Butch Otter’s office.

Taylor and Falconer were nominated for the awards by their schools and then evaluated and selected for recognition by a panel of industry experts.

“Through the INDEEDS Award program, the newly created Idaho STEM Action Center is working with industry partners to recognize teachers who create unique opportunities for students to not only experience the fun and excitement of STEM, but also learn how to apply lessons in real-world settings,” Angela Hemingway, director of the Idaho STEM Action Center, said in a written statement.

The awards were established by the governor’s office in 2000, under then Gov. Dirk Kempthorne. Industry leaders from Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Power Co., Hewlett-Packard, the Micron Foundation, LCF Enterprises and AECOM have sponsored and supported the program since it was initiated.

As part of the award, Taylor and Falconer each received $2,000 for themselves and another $2,000 for STEM initiatives at their schools courtesy of sponsors.