SciTech Alumni - Jonathan Shaw

I am originally from Hancock County, W.Va. I have two brothers and a sister; my parents reside in my hometown of Chester. They all have been a very supportive part of my life during my time in college and I am very thankful for them. I graduated from Oak Glen High School in 2002. During my time in high school I played on the varsity football team and wrestled for two years. I have worked throughout my entire college career simply to gain experience and to provide myself with somewhat of an income. During high school I ran my own landscaping business. During the summer of my sophomore year, I was a counselor at Camp Horseshoe in Tucker County; and, my summer of my junior year I was a deck hand on the Ohio River. During my time at school I have been employed at Mario’s in Mannington, W.Va., working as a cook, waiter and cashier. After my high school graduation, I spent my first semester of college at Coastal Carolina University. There, I discovered what I wanted my career to be, a teacher of science. During this transition time from Marine Science to Biology Education, my peers and professors insisted on me becoming a teacher. They use to tell me they could see it when I studied for exams with other classmates. We would teach to each other. A phrase I will never forget from one of my professors whom I admired the most was, “If you can teach it you know it.” They use to say, “Jon, you have a knack for it.” I started attending Fairmont State during my second semester of college and I began the journey of biology and education courses. It has been a wonderful endeavor for me to watch myself grow professionally as a teacher. I have learned so much about science, education, society and how they all coexist; and, it is never a dull moment. It is so exciting! I do not regret becoming a teacher; and, I am looking forward to helping others learn and sharing the exciting world of science with younger generations.