Written By: Holly Pulley, Staff Writer
RETIRING: Mrs. Wilson shares her Poly experience before she ends her educational career.
As the year comes to a close, Poly High’s 2024 graduating class aren’t the only people excited to learn what life will be like away from high school. Some of Poly’s own teachers – those that have dedicated themselves to years of teaching – are graduating at the end of the 2023-2024 school year, including Mrs. Wilson.
Mrs. Wilson had worked at Poly High School since 2005, but started teaching in 1998 at Mission Middle School. Her favorite subject in school was math, and when she became a teacher, she aimed to share her love of math with her math students. Her dream job as a child was to be a fashion designer, “but after teaching for 26 years,” she said, “I… would not have changed that if I was granted a do-over.” Her kids were the driving force behind becoming a teacher. “After having two children, I… decided to focus on education so that I understood how the school system worked so I could make good decisions for my children.” Since beginning her career in education, she has found a great appreciation for teaching and leading the next generations of America. Her daughter actually attended Poly from 2007-2011, and some of Mrs. Wilson’s favorite memories came from her daughter’s attendance at Poly High. “When she was here, we had the Poly Show Stoppers which was a Hip-hop team. We would practice everyday together for various Poly events.” Mrs. Wilson loved to be able to participate in extracurricular activities with her daughter, even if it was hard work.
Mrs. Wilson attended UC Davis for her undergraduate degree, and received her Masters and teaching credentials at Cal State University of San Bernardino. She found Poly thanks to a friend recommendation while she was still working at Mission Middle. Patti Miller, a former counselor at Poly High, had informed her that there was a teaching position available here, and encouraged Mrs. Wilson to apply. Since then, she has been so grateful to teach at Poly for so long and make wonderful and lifelong friends. “My closest friend is Laura Nelson,” she remarked, “we started at the same time in 2005!”
Mrs. Wilson is seen as a great friend to her students as well. Amani Anderson, a sophomore, is grateful for Wilson’s ability to make math fun. “If we don’t understand something, she will make a funny gesture to help us understand it better,” she recounted. “At the beginning of the year, [math] was a little rocky for me, but her being my teacher has really helped me appreciate math more.” Nathan Morales, a sophomore, loves Mrs. Wilson’s fun and cheerful personality, especially appreciating that “she likes to joke around with [her students].” He also commended her attentiveness to her students, and how dedicated she was to teaching. “I hope that when Mrs. Wilson retires, things become easier for her, and she doesn’t stress,” Morales said.
Mrs. Wilson hopes she has left a lasting mark on Poly’s campus, and hopes maybe to return to Poly every once in a while as, in her own words, “the best math substitute teacher ever!” She also plans to travel more and fill her time with more arts and crafts, sewing, and cooking delicious food. We wish you luck and relaxation in your retirement, Mrs. Wilson, and will never forget your contribution to Poly High School!