The Presidential Award is meaningful to me because it is a celebration of the teaching profession and the vital role that it plays in our communities. Everyone in my community contributes to my work, and I am continually inspired by their talent, understanding, and commitment to young people. Being recognized by my peers redoubles my inspiration to reach for the next level of professional growth. I am so grateful for my family and for my community which make my work possible.

John Tietjen Lebanon, NH | 7-12, Science, 2021

The official biography below was current at the time of the award.

John Tietjen is a chemistry teacher at Lebanon High School, where he has taught chemistry and physical science classes to students in grades 9-12 for the last 10 years. John began his 20-year career teaching chemistry and physics for 10 years at Robert A. Long High School. John’s students regularly engage with novel research, engineering, and laboratory challenges both during class time and outside of class. His work as a Science Olympiad coach, community STEM event organizer, and research project mentor, allows his students to connect meaningfully with the greater scientific community. John was recognized by the New Hampshire Society of Professional Engineers as STEM Educator Of The Year in 2021. John has collaborated extensively with the New Hampshire Academy of Science to help students learn science through research. His work on a variety of research projects at Dartmouth College and the University of New Hampshire have informed his instructional practice. His students have synthesized metal organic frameworks that capture carbon dioxide, and successfully deployed recoverable high altitude research platforms to over 100,000 feet. John earned a B.S. in secondary science education from Montana State University, and an M.Ed. in educational leadership from George Washington University. John holds certifications in chemistry, physical science, and curriculum administration.

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