The National Association of Biology Teachers, in conjunction with Prentice Hall and the West Virginia Science Teachers Association, is pleased to announce Wildwood Middle School’s Ms. Carolyn Thomas as West Virginia’s 2015 Outstanding Biology Teacher Awardee. This honor, given annually since 1961, identifies a teacher from each of the United States, who has made valuable contributions to the profession and his or her students. Criteria for the award include teaching ability, experience, inventiveness, initiative, inherent teaching strengths and cooperativeness in the school and community.

Ms. Thomas began her role as a science educator at Musselman Middle School in 2002 and came to Wildwood Middle School in 2007. In that time she has been an exemplary science educator earning the praise of colleagues, students, and community scientists and community partners. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland and master’s degrees from the University of Montana and Marshall University. She is a National Board Certified Teacher.

In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Ms. Thomas is active in the professional teaching community having participated in and presented professional development at the state, regional and national levels.

A special presentation was made to Ms. Thomas at the fall conference of the West Virginia Science Teachers Association on Nov. 6 at the Flatwoods Conference Center in Braxton County. In addition to the certificate awarded, she will be presented with a pair of precision binoculars from Prentice Hall Publishing and a $200 gift certificate from Carolina Biological Supply.

The National Association of Biology Teachers is extremely proud of Ms. Thomas, her accomplishments and the news of her award.

“She is an excellent science educator and an outstanding member of the science education community,” said Steve Beckelhimer who is the state director of the Outstanding Biology Teacher Award program for the National Association of Biology Teachers. Beckelhimer pointed out that it was extremely difficult to select an award recipient this year since many quality teachers were nominated but Ms. Carolyn Thomas was clearly the outstanding nominee.