Thomas inspires enthusiasm in each student.
by Andrew Craig
photo by Manuel Perez
Much like the plants in his green house, Scott Thomas, the sports trainer and life sciences teacher at Thomas Jefferson High School, undergoes a sort of photosynthesis; but instead of using the sun, he obtains his energy from his students.
Scott Elton Thomas was born in Columbus, Ohio, and grew up in Vail, Colorado with his brother T.J. “Growing up in Vail is, or was, just like growing up in any other place,” said Thomas, who graduated from Battlemont High School in 1990 and subsequently attended CU Boulder as a biology and kinesiology major. After four years of rigorous study, he earned a bachelor’s degree in biology and kinesiology.
“College was definitely a good experience for me. The social and environmental aspect of it was excellent. The academic experience was okay,” Thomas confessed.
In 1998, a couple of years after Thomas graduated, he applied for the sports trainer position at Thomas Jefferson High School, and was hired. “I found it surprisingly easy to apply for this position. I wasn’t nervous or anything.”
From 1998 to the spring of 2000, Thomas was a full time sports trainer at TJ. In the fall of 2000, he began his teaching career, after applying for the full time biology instructor position.
“My first years in the classroom were definitely rough,” Thomas reminisced. “I had problems with classroom management, and discipline, but I always made an effort to improve, and be socially and educationally in sync with my students.”
Thomas’ endeavors to improve were not only successful, they proved beneficial and helped boost his classroom morale, reputation, and teaching ability. Thomas is deemed one of the best science teachers in the building and held in high regards by many parents.
“Scott Thomas is perhaps one of the best science teachers my student has had,” Ali Williams, a parent of a TJ student said. “He’s easy to relate to, energetic, and he has made the process of learning a reciprocal one, where he teaches the students, and he in turn learns from them.”
On an ordinary day, Thomas is busy with entering grades into his computer, making lesson plans, socializing with his students, preparing labs for his biology and botany classes, and debating politics with Mr. Owens and Mr. Hammond. His hobbies include hiking, traveling, reading, and playing his Xbox 360.
“Coach Thomas is an excellent trainer, who enjoys his job and cares about the athletes,” said Devon Fitzgerald, who was the star running back of TJ’s football team. “I remember when I dislocated my shoulder and I went to see him and he made a special pad so that I could play in the football game that week. He truly is a person who cares.”
Clearly, Scott Thomas’ unprecedented contribution and devotion to TJ’s science and health department have made him an asset to TJ’s community.
