In all of my education classes, the first question that is always posed by my professors is Who inspired you? Who was the educator that made you think, 'This is the path I want to travel?' Naturally, your name is always at the top of my list. When I think about my graduation and your commencement address, you thanked us for being your class — for giving you the opportunity to be inspired. Mrs. Wild, I don't think that I can thank you enough for inspiring me to not only be a teacher but to do everything with passion and gusto - because what is the point of doing anything in life without a little excitement?

Mrs. Wild, I remember walking into your Honors English course the first day of high school. I was an extremely shy kid with a love of reading and writing. I was always nervous to share my thoughts in class prior to entering Immaculate because my middle school classmates saw me as the weird girl who read in class, journaled during recess and who always used her extensive vocabulary (my nickname was Big Worder; not clever, but I'll own it). Yet as soon as I stepped into your classroom, all of that fear and trepidation melted away. There you stood in the middle of the room, warm expression on your face, as you welcomed us to high school. Rather than instilling more fear into already clueless freshmen, you made us laugh. Like a coach, you pumped us up for not only the year but the experience ahead.

I still remember what we discussed in class that first day so clearly — we jumped into a debate about Lord of the Flies, in which you asked us if we believed if children could be adults if given the opportunity. As our timid class sat silent, you encouraged us to speak up because there were no wrong answers in your classroom — a concept that seemed so foreign at the time. You looked at me and smiled, asking if I had any thoughts. I don't exactly remember what I said, but I do remember you praising me for giving a deep question important insight. It was because of you, Mrs. Wild that I was able to find my voice to share my opinions, not only in the classroom but in life as well.

What I also loved about your class was the fact that you pushed me beyond my own expectations. Many of my teachers in the past would let me breeze by because they knew that my background with language arts — as my mother was also an English teacher — already proved my knack for writing. You didn't let me use that as an excuse. It was you pushing me and never letting me do less than my best that I grew to be the writer that I am today.

You, Mrs. Wild, were also one of the first teachers who acknowledged my talent for writing. Rather than allowing me to let it go, you helped me nurture it into something more. I remember showing you my college essay - which had to be one of the most difficult and personal pieces I have ever written - and instead of just giving me corrections as other teachers would have, you held my hand and cried with me. I remember you telling me that, "Good writing was a gift that only a few possessed, and because I’m lucky enough to have it, I should share it with as many people as I can." You showed me just how much of an effect words can have on a student and those words were something that not only shaped me as a writer but also as a person. Thank you, for not giving up on me and for not letting me give up on myself.

One thing I can never forget and always bring up in my education courses as an example of a great classroom dynamic is your class, Mrs. Wild. You always found a way to make learning fun and engaging for us, even the boring stuff — trust me, as much as I wanted to tune out of Crime and Punishment, your discussions were always so inclusive and awesome that it was hard to do so. When we read Shakespeare, you allowed us to dramatically read the plays and took us to real life productions of the work to deepen our understanding of it — I'm still scared by the production of Macbeth that we attended senior year, in case you were wondering. Even facts about Shakespeare's personal life were made into inside jokes — like his father being a love-maker ... I MEAN glove-maker. Even when we would deviate off topic, whether it be looking at the cardboard cut out of Johnny Depp or discussing your disdain for Stephen King's It, I never wanted class to end, which as a teacher, is always the goal.

Most importantly, when I think about the kind of educator that I want to be, I think of your class. I only hope to be a teacher that inspires and that makes students think of alternate viewpoints and perspectives. A teacher that nurtures while still being constructive and actually listens to her students. One that makes class a memorable fun experience, and cultivates and encourages talent. Above all, a teacher that is a friend, confidant and role model to her students as you were for me and so many of us who had the privilege of being your student.

So, thank you, Mrs. Wild, for being you.

Love and smiles always,

Alexia