Teacher Feature – Episode 12
Ms. Wilson – 5th Grade Teacher
Where were you born? Thief River Falls, Minnesota
What is your middle name? Joy
Do you have any siblings? Older sister, older brother, me, two younger brothers
What is your favorite thing to do on the weekends? Depends on the season, but I love being outside: hiking, exploring, snowboarding. On the flip side, I also like a non rushed lounging morning, with coffee and something to read, or my laptop.
Do you have any pets? Not right now, but there might be kittens in the future – husband is pushing 🙂
What is your favorite city you have ever traveled to and why? Maybe Lusaka, Zambia, because it is the jumping off city to South Luangwa National Park. The wildlife experiences were up close and personal. During the night at one of our bush camps, an elephant broke into our chalet/tent by pushing the door frame in with her head. The guards think she was after a protein bar we overlooked. It was scary, but so exciting!
If you could choose any profession other than teaching, what would it be? In a fantasy world, a professional snowboarder – haha. Realistically, probably an artist, or a wildlife/travel photographer.
Which grade were you in when you had your most memorable teacher? What made him/her memorable? Hands down, 6th grade. It was still elementary school at that time. The assignments were engaging and varied, which made topics interesting. Also, she introduced me to Mythology and Oceanography. Mrs. Rhinehart definitely fostered my curiosity.
What is your “go to” song when you’re feeling down? Ugh, impossible to pick just one: I Need an Energy, by Greg Holden. Bron-Yr-Aur, by Zeppelin. In the Morrow, by Brandi Carlile. The Girl, by City and Colour. Mountain Dance, by Dave Grusin. No matter my mood, I love music.
What is your favorite restaurant and which is your favorite dish at that restaurant? Apizza Scholls – plain pie with Mama Lil’s peppers.
What app can you not live without and why? Words with Friends, because I love word games, and Snapchat, because it keeps me in touch and up to date with my nieces and nephews.
What is your favorite quote? I like this: The early bird gets the worm, but the last mouse gets the cheese.
What’s the funniest thing one of your students said to you yesterday? My class applauded me after teaching a lesson.
What would your students be surprised to learn about you? As a kid I used to play with garter snakes and slugs, and I was a cheerleader in high school.
What did you want to be when you grew up? Honestly, I didn’t think about it. I was very involved in the “now.”
What’s your favorite thing about teaching? I like the interactions with students, and strengthening self confidence and pride in accomplishments. Plus, I get to laugh a lot.