Jeremy Tomaszewski

Havertown, PA | 7-12, Science, 2021

What motivates you to contribute to excellence in STEM teaching?

I am motivated by a deep belief that STEM education is one of the most powerful vehicles for empowering students to become critical thinkers, problem-solvers, and creators in an increasingly complex and technology-driven world. My goal is not just to teach content, but to inspire confidence, curiosity, and resilience in learners of all levels. I know that students thrive when they are engaged in meaningful challenges and supported in taking intellectual risks.

What has been the most transformative moment that affirmed your impact on STEM education?

There is not one single transformative moment but rather a series of intentional mentorship experiences that I help facilitate. I have made it my goal to encourage STEM education from elementary school through high school by fostering opportunities for high school students to mentor their younger colleagues and share their passion for the science with the next generation. Through field trips, elementary STEM days, large events such as our DISCOVER Day, and our summer camp, high school students are given multiple opportunities to inspire the next group of students.

Using your platform as a Presidential Awardee, how do you hope to advance our nation in STEM?

As a Presidential Awardee, I aim to advocate for the foundation of our nation’s innovation- our teachers. We must ensure they are competitively paid and supported with time and resources to teach deep, relevant content. Advancing STEM means valuing educators, investing in their growth, and empowering them to inspire the next generation. I’ll use this platform to elevate teacher voices and promote policies that sustain and strengthen STEM education.

Biography

Jeremy Tomaszewski has been an educator for 21 years, including the past 16 as a high school science teacher at Haverford High School. He began his career teaching physics at Bay Shore High School. Currently, Jeremy teaches students in grades 9–12 across a range of courses, including Engineering To Learn (ETL), Create Code and Construct, Astronomy, and AP Physics C: Mechanics and Electricity & Magnetism. ETL is a hands-on, project-based engineering course that all freshmen take as part of their science sequence. Create Code and Construct is an elective focused on physical computing and Arduino programming. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Jeremy serves as Department Chairperson and District IT Mentor. In this role, he supported teachers throughout the transition to online, hybrid, and in-person instruction, leading the district-wide implementation of Canvas as the learning management system. Beyond the classroom, Jeremy fosters student mentorship and outreach by organizing events where high school students lead STEM activities for elementary learners. These include in-school visits and DISCOVER Day, a large annual event where over 800 elementary students engage in STEM exploration through demonstrations, shows, and hands-on experiences. Jeremy is also the founder and director of Discover STEM Camp, Inc., a summer program that promotes creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking through immersive STEM experiences. He holds a B.A. in physics from Franklin & Marshall College, an M.A. in science education from Stony Brook University, and a Ph.D. in science education from Temple University. He is certified in physics and general science.

High-resolution version of the teacher profile photograph

The views expressed in awardee profiles are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of NSF or the PAEMST program.