Teaching science has never been more important than it is now, and the Presidential Award recognizes that. I am proud to be a science teacher because science transforms lives individually and collectively. Appreciating science deepens our experience of the world, and science gives us the tools to make our lives healthier and better. I love teaching science and providing my students with enriching science experiences is deeply meaningful and rewarding.

Kiehl Christie Washington, DC | 7-12, Science, 2021

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

Kiehl Christie has been teaching for over 11 years and has been at McKinley Technology High School for four of those years. He started as a Fulbright Grantee teaching middle school English in Mokpo, South Korea for one year and then taught at School Without Walls Senior High School for six years. He currently teaches 11th-12th grade students in Physics and Advanced Placement (AP) Computer Science A. While teaching Physics, Kiehl works hard to encourage his students to work directly with scientific phenomena, engaging their curiosity to develop their problem-solving and communication skills. In class, students work in small groups observing the behavior of physical objects, taking measurements, identifying patterns and relationships, and explaining their consequences. Students in Kiehl’s classes encounter small-group challenge problems, participate in discussions, complete research projects, investigate phenomena, and write about and argue over physics topics. Kiehl also provides support, resources, and blended learning techniques to support all his students as they learn. Kiehl’s passion for education and working with students extends beyond the classroom. He works with district science leadership to improve the physics curriculum for teachers, has represented his colleagues in his local union, and has coached varsity lacrosse, skiing, and FIRST Robotics. Kiehl earned a B.A., cum laude, in philosophy, physics, and the humanities from Ithaca College and an M.Ed. in mathematics education from American University. He holds certifications in secondary physics, secondary mathematics, and English and is preparing his certificate in computer science. Kiehl is recognized as an Expert Teacher by DC Public Schools and is working toward National Board Certification for physics.

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