Phone: 304-426-6603
Email:
Degrees and Certifications:
BA and MA in biology/general science with minor in chemistry
Ms. Sonya Picklesimer
I never dreamed or planned on being a science teacher but due to circumsances ended up back here teaching due to a sense of loyality. Because my dreams were sidelined I decided early on that my students would have the opportunity to succeed their goals by teaching them to the very best of my ability. I believe with all my being that knowledge is sacred and am more interested in learning and finding joy in learning than in receiving a grade. Knowledge should be the goal. There is power in knowledge and there is pleasure in knowing things.
I have a masters + 45 in biology as well as general science and have taught all science classes with the exception of physics. Science is a verb and is NOT book work---I will work as hard as I expect my students to do so because I do not believe in settling for mediocrity.
I started teaching at the old Lenore High School in Jan of 1981 with a classroom of only test tubes and an old refrig. Yet immediately we started doing labs because I made weekly trips to MU to trade out equipment as well as spending my own money to purchase equipment. I taught 7-11 science, everything up to chemistry before transferring to WHS in Williamson where I became the life science teacher. During these times I implemented science fairs and had a 1st and 3rd place winner at the International Science and Engineering Science Fair---out of 750 projects.
I begin presenting across the state, in Ohio, and Kentucky for the state department as well as WV science conferences as well as becoming a faculty member for the WV Governors' Honor's school--both GHA and GSMS. Over the years I have been an adjunct teacher for Southern Community Technical College teaching chemistry and biology. Currently, I am a dual credit teacher for biology as well as anatomy and have students who receive 16 hours of science before graduating from Mingo Central.
I have one son, Isaac, an engineer as well as cats and tons of flowers and wildlife I feed nightly at my home.