Prairie Profiles: Making ‘a good change’
Published 10:21 pm Monday, August 27, 2018
- Tiffany Wilkie taught in Chatfield for six years before coming to Glenville-Emmons to teach third grade. Sarah Kocher/Albert Lea Tribune
Glenville-Emmons’ new teacher prepares for third grade
Like her students, this will be one Glenville-Emmons Elementary School teacher’s first day of third grade in the district.
Teacher Tiffany Wilkie taught kindergarten in Chatfield for six years before making the move.
“I loved kindergarten, but I thought it would be just a good change,” Wilkie said.
She said she is looking forward to working with third-graders, who have a higher level of independence.
“They have more insight in some of the topics,” she said.
Teacher Tiffany Wilkie has STEAM boxes for students to experiment with building objects during the school year. Sarah Kocher/Albert Lea Tribune
As the year starts, Wilkie will be incorporating STEAM — science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics — into her classroom and curriculum. The first week of school will include engineering activities designed around the theme “Save Fred.” Fred is a gummy worm.
Wilke said she became a teacher because she has always loved children. It was between teaching and nursing.
“I’ve always enjoyed helping people,” Wilkie said.
She received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education with an emphasis in middle-level mathematics at Winona State University, following up with a master’s in education with an emphasis in special populations from Augustana University.
In addition to helping children learn, Wilkie said she is there to create a warm environment for her students. Her goal for the year is to have her students build positive relationships with each other.
“In my classroom, we are a school family that supports one another and helps everyone succeed,” she said.
When she is not teaching, Wilkie said she loves the outdoors. She likes to camp, fish, read, play tennis and spend time with family and friends.
Wilkie is the only new teacher this year in the Glenville-Emmons district. Principal Jeff Tietje said she has already shown the experience she brings with her to the school by jumping in and familiarizing herself with the curriculum.
“She’s doing the proper work now to make sure the school year is successful,” he said.
Glenville-Emmons Elementary School starts Sept. 5.
Tiffany Wilkie
Age: 28
Address: Owatonna
Livelihood: Third-grade teacher at Glenville-Emmons Elementary School
Interesting fact: Wilkie was a tennis coach through Parks and Recreation for children ages 4 through high school.
