Linda Flohr

Glenwood Springs, CO | 7-12, Science, 2021

What motivates you to contribute to excellence in STEM teaching?

The skills taught in science classrooms are the skills all students should be taught so they will have opportunities in their futures and will be citizens who are able to work as problem solvers. Skills like asking questions, making claims based on evidence, using inquiry to find out new information are all things that make our classrooms engaging and rigorous to prepare our students for whatever path they pursue.

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

When my students come back to me and are actively achieving their dreams while using what they learned in my classroom. There is a young lady who was one of my first students when I was in the Peace Corps and now she has been teaching physics for the last 20 years. There is another young lady who now holds a Doctorate in Chemistry and I know that I was a part of her journey in science. I have been blessed to work with hundreds of students and seeing them succeed both in my class and in their journeys afterwards affirms my work as an educator everyday!

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

I have had opportunities to talk about science in rooms full of students, parents, educators, and lawmakers. I hope to continue to ask for support for professional development to give opportunities to teachers to grow in their craft. I hope also to ask districts and states to fund education in a way where teachers are treated like the amazing professionals that they are and are given time and financial support to deliver Science lessons that will support our nation's future science needs.

Biography

Linda Flohr has been in education for over 25 years. She spent 20 years teaching science at Glenwood Springs High School. Previously, she taught at Julia R. Masterman Laboratory and Demonstration School. Her teaching career started as a Peace Corps Education Volunteer in Papua New Guinea teaching at Papitalai Secondary School. For the past two years, Linda has worked as an Assistant Principal at East Middle School. Linda taught a variety of science and mathematics courses throughout her career but most recently focused on Advanced Placement (AP) Physics 1, AP Physics C, and ELD Science classes. She also worked as a teacher leader to support professional development in the areas of formative assessments and collective efficacy, and has developed a peer tutoring program to support at-risk students. Linda worked to support science teachers as the Roaring Fork School District Science Content Lead. She provided professional development and worked to implement research-based teaching strategies. She worked as an Adjunct Professor at Colorado Mountain College, where she taught science education courses to future teachers. Linda has presented sessions at national conferences on engaging students through peer feedback. She also presented the importance of making science pathways accessible to all students. She has worked in her school to build academic support structures. Linda has worked as an AP Physics Reader for the last seven years. Linda earned an A.A. from Cottey College and a B.A. in physics from Whitman College. As part of the Returned Peace Corps Volunteer program, Linda earned her M.Ed. from Temple University. She earned her Ph.D. in science education from Curtin University and her Principal’s License from Western Colorado University.

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.