8th – 12th Grade Honors Biology, Human Anatomy/Physiology
Shawnee Mission South High School
Overland Park, Kansas
Total years as a classroom teacher: 45
EDUCATION
M.A. in Biology University of Missouri- KC 1973
B.S. in Education University of Central Missouri 1969
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
2000-present Shawnee Mission South HS
Grades 8-12 Physical Science, Biology, Human Anatomy/Physiology
2008- present Avila University
Special Methods in Teaching Biology
1997-1999 University of MO-KC
UMKC H.S. Science, Math, & Technology Institute
1981-2000 Raytown South High School
Grades 9-12 Biology, Earth Science, Physical Science
1969-1981 Pittman Hills Junior High
Grades 7-9 Life, Earth, Physical Sciences
SPECIAL RECOGNITION
2011 Burroughs Audubon Outstanding Educator Award (Greater Kansas City Chapter)
2009 Sister Mary Rockers Excellence in Teaching Award
1997 Mid-America Education Hall of Fame
1991 Presidential Awardee for Excellence in Science Teaching (PAEST)
1986 ‘87 State Awardee for Presidential Awardee for Excellence in Science Teaching (PAEST)
1985 Missouri alternate for NASA’s Teacher in Space Program
1978 Outstanding Missouri Conservation Educator (Conservation Federation of Missouri)
1975 Outstanding State Science Teacher Award (Missouri Academy of Science)
- Mrs. Alderson describes herself and her life as “Eat. Sleep. Teach – that’s me.”
- She believes that creativity and leadership are the core ingredients to sustain the “magic” of science for both students and teachers.
- “Mrs. Alderson’s classroom is a carefully designed studio of experiments, research and meaningful information intentionally organized to educate, not overwhelm. She is constantly growing, learning, and mentoring. We are all beneficiaries of her quest to grow the next generation of well-rounded scientists.”
—Joan Leavens, School Board Member - ”Mrs. Alderson dedicates herself to see students rise to their highest potential as they pursue scientific endeavors. Her dedication to her profession is unwavering after 44 years of teaching and, most importantly, her commitment to her students is unmatched.”
— Cathryn C. Linney, former student - “In all of her teaching efforts, she emphasizes ’hands-on’ and ‘minds-on’ learning by involving student research and ‘learning by doing’ by having her students tutor and mentor others and provide service to the community.”
–Charles J. Wurrey, Ph.D., UMKC Professor