Science department teacher Sharon Pedersen is retiring after 28 years of teaching, 27 of those years spent on campus and one year spent at International Polytechnic (IPoly) High School. She taught at least one type of science every year in her career including 25 years of human anatomy, physiology, biology, chemistry, nutrition and life science.
In her 27 years, Pedersen also taught Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) for six years, as she taught one class for four years and then picked up one class halfway through for two years, and Advanced Placement (AP) Capstone, which includes AP Seminar and AP Research.
“I have had the most passion and put the most into anatomy because I’ve had that every year, but I also love being able to follow the students in AVID and AP Capstone for more than one year,” Pedersen said.
Before teaching, Pedersen was a registered dietitian. She made the switch to teaching when she became uninterested in her work.
“I got kind of bored with my job, but I really, always kind of liked the idea of teaching. And my degree also best matched science… but I also love science,” Pedersen said.
Going into education provided Pedersen an outlet to express her love for science but she also values the connection she forged during her time teaching. Junior Victoria Lopez appreciates Pedersen’s kindness and the many casual conversations the two shared.
“Mrs. Pedersen is such a sweetheart. Inside and outside of the classroom, she is honestly one of the sweetest people you’ll meet. She’s really understanding and she’s really caring about all her students,” Lopez said.
Pedersen’s effort extends to her making class as enjoyable for her students as possible. She understands the importance of keeping students engaged and finds teaching best by incorporating interactive activities. Junior Noah Davis’ favorite part about her class, along with Pedersen’s good energy, are the labs and projects, like the pig dissection they recently did.
“I’m going to miss most about her class, probably the labs. The labs were cool. And, just, her overall being in like good spirits,” Davis said.
Pederson shared that the decision for her retirement was made by her and her husband after years of consideration and chosen as they believe it is the best fit for their future.. After this year ends, she plans on traveling to many places with her husband and learning new things to pass time.
“I want to learn a few new things. Just fun things, like instruments and maybe some languages. We’re going to Hawaii right away. The first three places I want to go are Iceland, Machu Picchu in Peru, and Australia, and possibly New Zealand,” Pedersen said.
Pedersen has been a long time member of the Bulldog family and an integral part of the school’s science department but her departure will begin the next chapter of her life.
“It’s bittersweet. I’m going to miss the staff, I’m going to miss the students, for sure. But I’m looking forward to not having all this grading,” Pedersen said.
