Honored math teacher says she was victim of phone prank

President Barack Obama didn’t place a phone call to an Idaho high school math teacher this month as earlier reported, and the teacher says she was the victim of a cruel joke.

Last week, Skyline High School instructor Julie Nawrocki told the Idaho Falls Post-Register that Obama called her on Dec. 19 asking her to participate in a group helping develop new math testing standards and teaching strategies.

But U.S. Department of Education spokesman Daren Briscoe said Friday the White House confirmed the president did not call Nawrocki.

“Unfortunately, I was the victim of a scam concerning my … nomination,” said Nawrocki in a text message to Local News 8. “I am sorry that someone used what is a great opportunity and honor to hurt and embarrass not only me, but my school and district.”

Idaho Falls School District 91, which publicized the call, says it’s investigating what happened. School district spokeswoman Margaret Wimborne said Nawrocki was indeed nominated and the district is proud of that fact. However, the district apologizes if it misled the public in any way.

Idaho Department of Education chief of staff Luci Willits also confirmed that Nawrocki was nominated for a testing standards group, but by a state official, not Obama.

Another Idaho teacher also nominated didn’t receive any calls from somebody claiming to be the president.