Former Neenah Teacher Becomes U.S. Diplomat with Department of State

NEENAH: A former social studies teacher from Neenah is about to start a new adventure as a diplomat with the U.S. Department of State. Eric Thiede, who taught for 13 years, got the job offer last October. He wrapped up his teaching duties on January 3 and plans to move to Washington, D.C., with his wife and youngest son by January 13.

Once in D.C., he’ll be sworn in with a group of over 100 new diplomats. He’ll find out where his first assignment will be in mid-February and will undergo training for several months before heading overseas later in the year.

Thiede’s new role as a foreign service officer is different from being an ambassador. While ambassadors are appointed by the president, foreign service officers work under the Department of State and assist ambassadors. Thiede chose to focus on consular services, which help U.S. citizens abroad and handle visa interviews.

The path to becoming a foreign service officer is tough. Thiede mentioned that less than 2% of applicants get hired, and it took him two years to secure his position. He had to write a personal narrative, pass a test, and go through medical and security checks.

Thiede feels that his background as a social studies teacher will serve him well in this new role. He’s learned to work with diverse groups and reach agreements, skills that will be useful in diplomacy. He’s also taught overseas in Scotland and traveled extensively, which adds to his excitement about this new chapter.

To prepare for their move, Thiede and his family are doing a lot of research about their future home, focusing on what to expect and educational opportunities. He expressed gratitude for the support he’s received from his family, students, and the school district throughout this journey. They celebrated every milestone along the way.