I am both humbled and honored to receive the Presidential Award. I am thankful to have had the opportunity to learn from some remarkable educators throughout the years. I strive to use each teaching moment as an opportunity to learn in order to do better tomorrow. Being a teacher means connecting with each and every student so that they believe they have something significant to contribute to not only our classroom community but to the world around them. Teaching is about giving students wings.

Erin Tiderman-Gross Meridian, ID | 7-12, Science, 2017

The official biography below was current at the time of the award.

Erin Tiderman has taught 10th-grade Advanced Placement (AP) Biology at Rocky Mountain High School for the past five years. Prior to this, she spent 19 years teaching biology at Centennial High School, Meridian High School, Granite Hills High School, and Exeter High School. Erin is passionate about the AP program, as she strives to prepare her students to be successful in any college setting. She also offers concurrent credit through Northwest Nazarene University as she partners with fellow biology professors. Erin has helped build four successful AP Biology programs and has mentored a number of teachers over the past 24 years. She has designed and created a variety of hands-on activities to help her students develop a deep understanding and love of biology. She has presented her work at various conferences and shared her knowledge and expertise with teachers as a College Board consultant and reader. Also passionate about community service, Erin is the current adviser for one of the largest, most active National Honor Society chapters in Idaho. Erin earned a B.S. in biology from Cal State Bakersfield, a life science teaching credential from Chapman University, and a M.A. in teaching from Grand Canyon University. She earned National Board Certification in adolescent young adult science.

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