Mark Kreie

Brookings, SD | 7-12, Mathematics, 2021

What motivates you to contribute to excellence in STEM teaching?

I’m motivated by the belief that STEM education empowers students not just to understand the world, but to shape it. Helping students build critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills through real-world, inquiry-driven learning is deeply rewarding. I’m inspired by seeing students believe in themselves as they realize they can tackle complex challenges. Collaborating with colleagues strengthens this work and ensures we’re continually growing to better support all students.

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

One of the most transformative moments that affirmed my impact on STEM education was when a student, like many others before them, entered my class believing they were not good at math. Through consistent encouragement and engaging, student-centered, collaborative learning, I helped them see and truly believe in their own abilities. Watching that student’s confidence grow—and hearing them say they now believe they can do well in math—reminded me why my work matters. It affirmed that by fostering belief and persistence, I can help students unlock their potential and change their relationship with math.

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

I hope to advance our nation in STEM by helping students build strong mathematical thinking and problem-solving skills, while also fostering curiosity, confidence, and resilience. I also strive to support fellow educators through collaboration and shared learning, knowing that empowering teachers strengthens STEM education at every level.

Biography

Mark Kreie has been a mathematics teacher for 23 years, teaching one year at Baltic High School, three years at Newton High School, seven years at Estelline High School, and the past 12 years at Brookings High School. He currently teaches 9th-12th grade Advanced Algebra 2 and Advanced Placement Statistics. Mark has also taught Pre-algebra, Algebra 1, Geometry, Pre-Calculus, and Calculus at various points in his career. In the classroom, Mark is passionate about helping each student build their mathematical identity. He strives to create a student-centered environment and build a positive relationship with each student. Mark believes students learn best by discovering mathematics and making connections to prior knowledge through collaboration with others. Mark loves providing professional learning for teachers. He speaks at numerous state and regional conferences, often presenting on the significance of using digital tools to help student understanding of mathematics. Mark has served on the Executive Board for the South Dakota Council of Mathematics Teachers and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Classroom Resources Committee. He is an AP Reader for Statistics and a Desmos Fellow. He has served as a virtual coach to mentees across the state and has mentored seven student teachers throughout his career. Mark received the Daktronics Outstanding Mathematics Teacher award, the South Dakota State University Clinical Educator of the Year award, and the South Dakota Council of Mathematics Teachers Distinguished Service to Mathematics award. Mark has a B.A. in mathematics from the University of Minnesota-Morris and an M.S. in curriculum and instruction from Black Hills State University. He is certified to teach 5-12 mathematics.

High-resolution version of the teacher profile photograph

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