We all have chances to learn and grow each day and the Presidential Award is no exception. I appreciate this honor and opportunity to share my practice and learn from other exceptional educators. Fostering scientific curiosity and literacy gives children a strong foundation and much-needed hope for all of us. I'm grateful for the support and encouragement from my friends, family, students and their families, and community.

Suzanne Zietlow Columbus, WI | K-6, Science, 2022

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

Suzanne "Suzy" Zietlow has taught all subjects of third grade at Discovery Charter School (DCS) for the past 12 years. She spent the previous two years of her 14-year teaching career teaching second grade at DCS. Suzy’s students engage in science both in and outdoors, where they explore local and state parks and natural areas. Her students also care for school gardens, donate plants and produce to the community, explore the health of local waterways, and lead the school's Green Team which manages composting and recycling within the building. As an educational leader, Suzy participates in her district's Building Leadership Team and Science Curriculum Committee, mentors new staff, and coordinates family science, mathematics, and field experience events. Suzy has presented professional development sessions on NGSS, scientific inquiry, discourse, technology, green practices, and outdoor education at local, state, and national conferences. Suzy has a B.S. in medical microbiology and immunology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a B.S. in elementary education from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. She is certified in regular and mathematics education for middle childhood through early adolescence.

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