Our Wildwood, Summer 2021, Volume 46

L: Becca Hedgepath; R: Patti Baez

Wildwood’s philosophy has allowed me to teach in a manner that helps students understand themselves as learners. Seeing, connecting with, and teaching the whole child attracted me as a prospective parent and teacher. I’ve loved watching students focus on their strengths as they develop their challenges and voices. Students inquire about topics and do projects they find most interesting within my curriculum, and that’s exciting. They see themselves as young activists willing to discover or create solutions to the world’s problems, and that gives me hope for our future.

The relationships with amazing Advisory students and their parents have kept me part of the Wildwood community for so long. This goes hand in hand with Wildwood’s Life Skills and Habits of Mind and Heart. They helped me improve my teaching through collaboration with other educators, and they still nurture my daughters Gabrielle ‘05, Tanya (science teacher 2008-2010) and Rachel (substitute librarian 2007-2012). The legacy of these social-emotional skills and behaviors supports individuals and families long after they have graduated. Tassie Hadlock-Piltz, former middle and upper faculty and alumni parent The natural way Social Emotional Learning (SEL), techniques are infused in a child’s experience at Wildwood makes learning fun and meaningful and helps to shape kind and thoughtful human beings. Wildwood uses innovative approaches to teaching, which instills a lifelong love of learning in students. This is what makes Wildwood so special and a place I have loved for so long. Patti Baez, elementary faculty, current parent, and alumni parent

Becca Hedgepath, humanities teacher and alumni parent

My involvement with Wildwood provided me with some of the most gratifying moments in my life—professionally and personally. Over decades, participating in the growth of Wildwood allowed me to be involved in the development not only of the school but also—indirectly— of young people. It has been a privilege that fills me with great pride, satisfaction, and hope for our collective future. Colleen Pundyk, former director of advancement, Board of Trustees, and alumni parent

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CELEBRATING 50 YEARS! | OWW SUMMER 2021