Teacher Spotlight: Mrs. Wilcox

By VCS Senior Ja’Nina Thompson

For this teacher, middle school isn’t just a place to teach reading and writing; it’s a place to support students during one of the most important times in their lives. She chose to teach middle school because she remembers how much she needed her teachers during that stage. As she explains, 

“I chose to become a middle school teacher because that’s where I felt I needed my teachers the most when I was growing up. I want to be that teacher for my students.”

The most rewarding part of her job is building relationships with students. She especially values moments when she can work with them individually and help them grow. At the same time, teaching middle school can be challenging. One of the hardest parts, she says, is keeping students motivated. With so many distractions and changes happening in their lives, some students begin to feel like school isn’t important. Encouraging them to stay focused and believe in their education is something she works on every day.

When it comes to reading and writing, she believes every student is capable of improving. Her advice for students who don’t enjoy reading is simple: 

“You just haven’t found your favorite book yet.” 

She even shares that she once disliked reading herself but worked hard to improve her skills. Now, she encourages students to keep searching for a book they connect with because, as she says, 

“A good book can change your life.”

She also reminds students that strong writing skills come from practice. The more students write, the better they become. In her classroom, many students enjoy reading graphic novels, which often help build interest and confidence in reading. She believes grammar and writing are important life skills because they are used for professional communication everywhere. Although students sometimes see her as strict, many are surprised by how open-minded and caring she is. She wants them to know she truly cares about their well-being, not just their grades. One way she supports students is simply by listening. She even keeps a stool next to her desk so students can sit down and talk when they need advice or encouragement. Her advice for students who want to succeed in English class is straightforward: 

“DO THE WORK. Whatever is put in front of you, just do it without argument. Your teacher knows what you need.”

Even though students eventually move on to new classes and new teachers, she says they will always 

hold a special place in her heart. If her classroom had a theme song, it would be Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You,” a reminder that while students grow and move forward, the impact they leave behind is never forgotten.