Todd Flory

Wichita, KS | K-6, Science, 2022

What motivates you to contribute to excellence in STEM teaching?

I'm driven by a belief that STEM is not just about skills — it's about equipping students to shape their world. I’ve seen how global collaborative STEM projects allow students to apply math and science in authentic, cross-cultural ways, and how their confidence grows when they realize they’re not just learning math and science — they're using them to make connections, solve problems, and make the world a better place.

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

The most transformative moment came when my students, after researching and building classroom hydroponic systems inspired by a class in Belgium, chose to share their findings with peers in Australia and California facing drought and wildfires. They weren’t just growing lettuce — they were growing purpose, compassion, and global awareness. They measured nutrient levels, tracked plant growth, and considered how their learning could help others. Watching my students use STEM not for a grade but to make a difference, moved me deeply. It reminded me why I teach: to empower students to see themselves as problem-solvers and global citizens capable of real, positive change.

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

As a Presidential Awardee, I hope to amplify the idea that STEM education must be globally relevant and personally meaningful. I plan to use this platform to lead local and national conversations and professional development around student-centered, culturally responsive math and science instruction — and to help teachers design experiences where students apply STEM to solve real-world, global problems.

Biography

Todd Flory is a general education 4th grade teacher at Wheatland Elementary School in Wichita, Kansas. Flory has a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts from Bethel College, a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from McPherson College, and a Masters in Instructional Technology from Ft. Hays State University. Flory also works as a Teacher Leader Consultant for the Kansas Department of Education, where he helps design and facilitate math professional development for teachers across Kansas. Flory served as the board president for the Kansas Association of Teachers of Mathematics in 2018, was named a 2018 Kansas Master Teacher, was a 2022 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) winner, and is a Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms awardee for 2024-25. Providing global collaborative and real-life, passion-based learning experiences for students is a focus for Flory. He has spoken at state and national education conferences, including the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) conference on topics such as global collaboration, personalized learning, and technology in the classroom. Flory regularly connects his students with others around the world for global collaborative projects, including a global coding challenge, a cooking cultural exchange, and a 12-hour Skype Around the World day, where students virtually visit with classes across the globe to learn new cultures. He has written for EdSurge and PBS Education and was featured by NPR and Japanese national news for co-creating a media literacy project. Flory believes that teachers need to create global citizens in a global classroom to empower students to shape their future and the world’s.

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.