Written By: Amelia Chavez, Staff Writer
COMPASSIONATE: Mr. Wilde is highly empathetic and compassionate.
After searching for a year, Dexter Wilde has found the perfect school for him, Riverside Poly High school. He was born and raised in Chicago but moved to California with his wife, who was hired as a biology professor at UCR. It was hard to say goodbye to his family and friends. However, he is thoroughly enjoying this adventure in a new place with new people.
Mr. Wilde never planned on becoming an English teacher but rather a genetics major. “I did really badly in my math and genetics classes in my first year of college,” Mr. Wilde said humorously. After some reconsideration, he discovered that English was a subject he found interesting. Mr. Wilde enjoyed discussing books with his peers and used this passion to spread his knowledge by becoming a teacher.
“I want everybody to leave my class knowing
how to do something better.”
Mr. Dexter wilde, poly english teacher
During the last year, Mr. Wilde subbed at several different schools, with Poly being his favorite. Mr. Wilde explains that he “liked Poly because the students were so kind and engaging. They wanted to talk about who I was and who they were, which is something I really enjoy as an English teacher.” Poly’s diverse community drew Mr. Wilde in and motivated him to join the bear family. As an educator he is always looking to learn more and teach his students as much as he can.
Although it can be extremely hard to keep students motivated to learn, especially with reading, Mr. Wilde makes it easier by reading small chunks of the book at a time. It can be easy for students to be disheartened by big chunks of text. “I give students the opportunity to define what it is they want to use the book to investigate,” Mr. Wilde remarked.
Mr. Wilde emphasizes that he wants his students to take something valuable away from his class. It may vary from student to student, however Wilde explains, “I want everybody to leave my class knowing how to do something better.” The bear family welcomes Mr. Wilde as he embarks on his teaching career in Bear Country.