Mr. Pedersen

Mrs. Pedersen

Education      (Click here for my curriculum vitae)

Education Specialist, Teacher Leadership, Piedmont College
Master of Science, Biology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Bachelor of Science, Science Education, Indiana University

Teaching Positions

2005-Present Certified Teacher, Paulding County High School, Paulding County School District (biotechnology, AP chemistry, AP physics 1)

2002-2005 Teaching Fellowship, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (Course# 102 Elements of Biology)

Awards and Honors

  • 2017 Yale Educator Award
  • 2017 Georgia Biotechnology Teacher of the Year
  • 2017 Georgia Science Teachers Association Teacher of the Year
  • 2016 Claes Nobel National Top Ten Educator Award (NSHSS)
  • 2016 BioGENEius Mentor National Awardee (Biotechnology Institute; Washington, D.C.)
  • 2016 BioGENEius Challenge International Judge (San Francisco, CA)
  • 2016-2017 Governor's Teacher Advisory Committee
  • 2016 Global Teacher Prize Nominee (nominated by GA DOE)
  • 2016 STAR Teacher Award (PAGE)
  • 2015 Presidential Award of Excellence in Science Teaching Awardee
  • 2015 Georgia Teacher of the Year Finalist
  • 2014-2016 Claes Nobel Educator of Distinction (NSHSS)
  • 2014 Paulding County School District Teacher of the Year
  • 2013 Paulding County High School Teacher of the Year
  • 2013-2017 Georgia Superintendent’s Teacher Advisory Council
  • 2005 Outstanding Future Educator Award Finalist (Indiana Association of Colleges for Teacher Education)

Teaching Certifications

  • Broad Field Science Certificate (certified in all science fields) 
  • Gifted Endorsement
  • AP Physics 1
  • AP Biology
  • AP Environmental Science
  • AP Chemistry

Science Publications (peer-reviewed)

Pedersen, M.C., Dunn, P.O., & Whittingham, L.A. 2006. Extraterritorial forays are related to a male ornamental trait in the common yellowthroat. Animal Behaviour, 72, 479-486. pdf

Garvin, J.C., Abroe, B., Pedersen, M.C., Dunn, P.O., & Whittingham, L.A. 2006. Immune response of nestling warblers varies with extra-pair paternity and temperature. Molecular Ecology, 15, 3833-3840. pdf

Abroe, B., Garvin, J.C., Pedersen, M.C., Dunn, P.O., & Whittingham, L.A. 2007.  Brood sex ratios are related to male size, but not attractiveness in the common yellowthroat. Auk, 124, no 1, 176-184. pdf

Publications (non-refereed)

Pedersen, M., 2016. Detection and Monitoring of Threatened Mussel Species: An Environmental DNA (eDNA) Approach. eObservations,Georgia Science Teachers Association, May 2016.

Pedersen, M., 2015. Biotechnology at Paulding County High School: A Success Story. Your Future in Healthcare, Sept 2015, no 5, 10-11. pdf

Professional Biological Experience

  • Avian Field Technician (University of Illinois, IL)
  • Wildlife Biologist (Kalamazoo Research Center, MI)
  • Avian Conservation Assistant (Nature Conservancy of Hawaii/Hawaii Department Natural Resources, HI)
  • Missouri Ozark Forest Ecosystem Project Technician (University of Missouri, MO)
  • Wildlife Biologist (United States Fish & Wildlife Service, OR)

New Teacher Induction (click here)

The above link will take you to my teacher professional development site. This site contains all of the resources I use to conduct my training sessions for new teachers in the Paulding County School District.  

​Education (2019 Biotechnology Teacher of the Year)

Education Specialist, Teacher Leadership, Piedmont College
Master of Science, Biology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Bachelor of Science, Biology, Western Michigan University

​Teaching Positions

2014-Present Certified Teacher, Paulding County High School, Paulding County School District (AP biology, AP environmental science, biotechnology)

2005-2014 Certified Teacher, East Paulding High School, Paulding County School District (biology, environmental science, physical science)

2002-2005 Teaching Fellowship, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (Course# 105 Zoology)

​Awards and Honors

  • 2021  Presidential Award of Excellence in Science Teaching Finalist​
  • 2019 Georgia Biotechnology Teacher of the Year
  • 2019 Project WET Educator of the Year 
  • 2016 BioGENEius Challenge International Judge (San Francisco, CA)
  • 2015-2016 Chick-Fil-A Leader Academy
  • 2011 East Paulding High School Teacher of the Year

​Teaching Certifications

  • Broad Field Science Certificate (certified in all science fields) 
  • Gifted Endorsement
  • AP Biology​
  • AP Environmental Science

​Professional Biological Experience

  • Stream Ecologist (University Wisconsin, WI)
  • Research Specialist  (Kalamazoo Research Center, MI)
  • Macroinvertebrate Stream Ecologist (Western Michigan University, MI)