Elementary teacher Tristan Bowen of New Hampshire has garnered a prestigious Presidential Award for Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). Photo Credit: PAEMST

It is always my pleasure to share the story of an exceptional educator who has earned recognition for their work in the classroom. One of these is Tristan Bowen, an elementary school science teacher from New Hampshire who has garnered a 2022 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST).

This prestigious award honors the dedication, hard work, and important role that America’s teachers play in supporting learners who will become future STEM professionals, including computer technologists, climate scientists, mathematicians, innovators, space explorers, and engineers. The PAEMST program, founded in 1983, is administered by the National Science Foundation (NSF) on behalf of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. The honor comes with a $10,000 cash prize.

Tristan has been teaching for 22 years. For the past 15 years, she has taught a self-contained fourth grade class at Riddle Brook School in Bedford, New Hampshire. Previously, she taught for five years at Russell Street Elementary School, and prior to that, she inaugurated her career at Nantucket Middle School, where she taught for two years.

“What sets Tristan apart is her forward-thinking and student engagement abilities, especially in the area of STEM education,” asserts Molly McCarthy, Principal of Riddle Brook School. “She encourages creativity, critical thinking, and problem solving through interest-based learning for her students,” agreed Mike Fournier, Superintendent of the Bedford School District.

This amazing teacher has a passion for writing student-driven science curriculum and is trained in NGSX science curriculum implementation. She mentors teachers on the implementation of NGSX principles, and she aligns and writes Bedford’s science curriculum with NGSX and NGSS standards. To facilitate maximum learning opportunities, Tristan has orchestrated lessons for her students that allow them to connect with scientists both in the community and worldwide.

In addition to her work in the classroom, Tristan serves as a Professional Learning Community Facilitator for her fourth grade team. She is also a member of her school’s Enrichment Committee, which worked hard to initiate the Full STEAM Ahead Day at her school. She is a member of New Hampshire Science Teachers Association and NSTA. Also, she has established a working relationship with University of New Hampshire at Manchester, is a trained STEM docent, and has written a Citizen Science integration curriculum. As if all that were not enough, Tristan has written Wisdom Work Curriculum and has shared the innovative lessons at Southeastern Regional Education Service Center. The lessons were so exceptional that she presented Wisdom Work at the Christa McAuliffe Conference for New Hampshire Society for Technology in Education and at Bedford’s Future Ready Conference.

Tristan earned her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst in 1990, and her Master’s degree from Boston College in 1994. She is certified to teach kindergarten through sixth grade and Moderate Special Needs, kindergarten through ninth grade.

To learn more about Tristan Bowen, see this link to the New Hampshire Department of Education.