Alicia Thomas

Fayette County
Lexington Traditional Magnet School

I believe that teaching science is more than just memorizing facts; it’s about cultivating curiosity, developing critical thinking skills, and fostering a love of learning. As a middle school science teacher, I aim to create an engaging and interactive classroom where students can explore scientific concepts firsthand, conduct hands-on experiments, and develop a deeper understanding of the world around them. My own experiences in the lab have taught me the importance of observation, experimentation, and perseverance, and I’m eager to share these valuable lessons with my students. Science is everywhere and easy to connect to the real world. I’m excited to inspire the next generation of scientists and help them develop the skills and knowledge they need to become informed and responsible citizens

Learning is a lifelong journey. I graduated with a Biology degree with the intention to do research. I worked in a Pharmacology Toxicology Research Lab. I worked with radioactivity. My Botany professor tried to get me to go into teaching but I did not think I could teach. I told him “Dr. Eversmeyer I will never be a teacher.” He asked me to be his lab teaching assistant (TA) to set up my Botany Labs. On my first day I set the lab up and he came in to check everything and said “I will see you in a couple of hours,” and he left me to teach the lab. I taught for him for 3 semesters. I enjoyed teaching his Botany Lab, but it still did not resonate with me to become a teacher. After working two years in the lab I became allergic to the latex gloves. The allergy was so severe that I had to leave the lab. I decided to try substitute teaching while I was deciding what to do with my life. I discovered that I loved substitute teaching. I earned my teaching certification through an alternative program. As the saying goes never say never.