Coventry teacher Tiffany Rich honored as 2025 STEAM educator; committee discusses travel and program growth

Tiffany Rich, a science teacher at Coventry High School, was recognized by the school committee as the district’s 2025 STEAM high school educator of the year.

The superintendent introduced Rich and described her work in meteorology, oceanography and other hands-on science programs, and Tim offered an extended endorsement, calling her a “lifelong learner” who structures classrooms so students lead discussion and discovery. “When you walk into Tiff’s class, you will not see her lecturing,” Tim said, describing a classroom where students ask and answer one another’s questions.

Rich thanked the committee and credited her students, colleagues and the Coventry community for the award. She told the committee she brings summer learning experiences back to her students and proposed exploring a STEAM travel opportunity so students can gain real-world experiences; she specifically mentioned Iceland as an example of a destination that would align with the curriculum.

Committee members expressed strong support for Rich’s work and for the travel idea as a future program to explore. Members noted opportunities to showcase awardees at WaterFire and similar community events and highlighted her planned role leading a new renewable-energy and environmental-protection course that will be available to incoming ninth graders.

The recognition and ensuing discussion centered on celebrating instructional excellence and on ways to expand hands-on and career-and-technical programming, not on immediate budget commitments. The committee did not take a vote on the travel idea; members encouraged further planning and review if the district pursues a student travel program.

The committee moved on to other agenda items after commending Rich and the district’s broader teacher-recognition program.