Grade/Subject: Biology- High School
Ages of Students Served: 14-18 year olds
District: San Francisco Unified School District
Tess Carlson is a 2026 Teach Plus National Teacher Policy Cabinet Executive Cabinet Member and high school science teacher leader and founding member of the Mission Bay Hub in San Francisco, California. She began her teaching career in 2019 as a San Francisco Teaching Resident and has since taught biology and chemistry while supporting students through engaging, real-world science learning experiences.
In addition to her teaching role, Tess leads a Practitioner Inquiry Professional Learning Community for teachers at her school and works with university and industry partners to help students secure internships in medical centers and research facilities. She is a Knowles Teaching Fellow and has served as both a lead and contributing author on research journal articles and scientific publications focused on K–12 students and STEM education. In 2019, she was also named a Stanford Teaching Fellow. Tess previously served as a chemistry and Advancement Via Individual Determination tutor in Wisconsin and currently serves as the union representative for her school.
Tess earned her BS in Chemistry and an Education and Educational Services certificate from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. She also earned her MA in Chemistry Education from Stanford University, where she also completed a bilingual teaching credential.
