Kiehl Christie

Washington, DC | 7-12, Science, 2021

What motivates you to contribute to excellence in STEM teaching?

What motivates me to contribute to excellence in STEM teaching is seeing students develop genuine curiosity and confidence as they engage directly with scientific phenomena. I'm driven by those moments when students move from passive observers to active investigators—measuring, questioning, and passionately arguing about physics concepts. My motivation stems from believing that all students can develop strong problem-solving skills through hands-on inquiry.

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

The most transformative moment that affirmed my impact was when a former student returned to tell me he had become a physics teacher at my previous school. He said it was my class that inspired him to teach physics—something I had no idea about at the time. Seeing former students visit to share their journeys in robotics, AI development, and education reminds me that the curiosity and problem-solving skills we develop in class extend far beyond the classroom, shaping their careers and passions in ways I never expected.

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

As a Presidential Awardee, I hope to advance STEM by demonstrating that all students can excel when science is accessible and engaging. My platform lets me share practices that help students see themselves as capable scientists, analytical thinkers, and creative problem-solvers. By showing that hands-on inquiry and real-world connections motivate any student, I hope to build a more diverse generation of scientific thinkers.

Biography

Kiehl Christie has been teaching for over 11 years, spending the last four years at McKinley Technology High School. He began his career as a Fulbright Grantee teaching middle school English in Mokpo, South Korea, then taught for six years at School Without Walls Senior High School. He currently teaches 11th-12th grade Physics and Advanced Placement Computer Science A. In his Physics classes, Kiehl encourages students to work directly with scientific phenomena, engaging their curiosity to develop problem-solving and communication skills. Students work in small groups observing physical objects, taking measurements, identifying patterns and relationships, and explaining their consequences. They encounter challenge problems, participate in discussions, complete research projects, investigate phenomena, and write about and debate physics topics. Kiehl provides support, resources, and blended learning techniques to help all students succeed. Kiehl's passion for education extends beyond the classroom. He works with district science leadership to improve physics curriculum, has represented 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. He is recognized as an Expert Teacher by DC Public Schools and is working toward National Board Certification.

High-resolution version of the teacher profile photograph

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