Tyler Dufrene

Tyler Dufrene

Fellowship Placement: United States House of Representatives
Hometown: Raceland, LA

Tyler Dufrene teaches both AP Physics and Chemistry at Hahnville High School. He began his career in education by serving as a permanent substitute at Central Lafourche High School while in college. He taught for one year at the Career Magnet Center upon graduating from Nicholls State University with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and a concentration in Education, along with minors in Chemistry and Business Administration. In 2018, he earned his Master’s in Educational Leadership from the American College of Education. He was also elected to the Lafourche Parish School Board in December 2018 at 25 years old—the youngest member ever in the history of the board. His honors include being named a 2021 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) State Finalist, 2021 Outstanding Science Teacher of the Year from the Louisiana Science Teachers Association (LSTA), 2021 Bob Thompson Excellence in Energy Award from the National Energy Education Development (NEED) Project, 2019 Louisiana Secondary Teacher of the Year from the Louisiana Association of Computer Using Educators (LACUE), and the 2018 Essie Beck “Rising Star” in Science Education Award from LSTA. Tyler was also the 2021 grand prize winner of the NSTA/Shell Science Lab Regional Challenge. Further, Tyler has been awarded over $122,000 in grants throughout his professional career.  As a firm believer in continuous improvement, Tyler has been accepted to several prestigious professional development opportunities including the Joint Science and Technology Institute (JSTI), sponsored by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), the Smithsonian Science Education Academies for Teachers (SSEATs), and the National Summer Teacher Institute sponsored by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Tyler comes to school each day to watch his students learn, question, investigate, interact, lead, and grow. He strives to create an environment where students feel safe to take educational risks and explore the curiosities of their minds.