Moscow,ID – Frank Tiegs,superintendent of the Moscow School District,approaches his role with a focus on attentive leadership,prioritizing understanding the perspectives of students,staff,and the community. Tiegs, 46, began his career with aspirations of becoming a classroom teacher, a path his parents – both educators themselves, having taught him in sixth and seventh grade – cautioned against, citing the public pressures faced by teachers.
Tiegs ultimately pursued teaching after working at a local lumber mill to support his growing family, becoming one of the first in Idaho to complete the American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence (ABCTE) program.He taught for six years in the Highland School District before moving to Nezperce following a science teacher’s retirement.
In 2013, Tiegs was selected for the Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship, relocating to Washington, D.C., with his first five children to contribute to national STEM education initiatives. This experience shifted his focus toward educational leadership,leading to roles as principal of Nezperce for two years and subsequently,superintendent.
Tiegs acknowledges the challenges inherent in leading small school districts, describing the position as frequently enough isolating. He credits his wife’s dedication to their seven children as essential to his ability to fulfill the demands of the superintendent role, noting the constant need for availability.
Now in Moscow, Tiegs describes his current role as overseeing the district from a broader viewpoint.”Your job is to truly listen and hear those other people,” he said. An EdNews survey indicates Tiegs is among a small number of mid-career superintendents in Idaho planning long-term commitments to their positions, intending to remain in public education until his youngest daughter graduates.
