Our Wildwood, Volume 51

“” RACHEL IS WHO SHE IS BY NATURE, BUT THE NURTURING SHE RECEIVED HERE, THE ENCOURAGEMENT TO FIND AND USE HER VOICE, HER CONFIDENCE—THOSE I HONESTLY CREDIT TO WILDWOOD. —BECCA HEDGEPATH

RACHEL: It was really nice, actually. Before I came to Wildwood, she would teach me at home, so I was used to learning from her in an academic, as well as as a motherly way. I loved sharing that experience with my friends. Also, I think we hit the sweet spot with 6th grade — before you start to have feelings about your parents embarrassing you! OWW: Is there anything you’ve picked up from your mother’s teaching style that you find yourself implementing in your own classroom? RACHEL: A lot! I’ll often say things and realize halfway though that I sound just like her. It’s especially true with my approach as a “warm demander” — setting firm boundaries and expectations with students, but also meeting them where they are and above all, making sure they know they are loved and that I’m going to help them achieve their goals.

RACHEL: My mom is the ultimate planner, and she’s helped me so much when it comes to lesson planning. She also knows all the ins-and-outs of Wildwood, so it’s nice having a go-to resource at my fingertips. More directly though, I know exactly what her expectations are for when they reach 6th grade, so I’m able to look years ahead to ensure what I’m doing in the classroom will get them there. Having that direct line of communication is such a benefit and privilege. OWW: Becca, how has your dual role as a parent of an alumna and faculty member shaped your experience of Wildwood? BECCA: I’ve gotten to see exactly how the Wildwood experience plays out by observing who Rachel is today. Sure, Rachel is who she is by nature, but the nurturing she received here, the encouragement to find and use her voice, her confidence — those I honestly credit to Wildwood.

OWW: Becca, is there anything you’ve learned from Rachel that you’ve incorporated into your classroom?

OWW: Rachel, how has your experience of Wildwood changed now that you are back as a teacher?

BECCA: I have learned to be kinder. She’s so sweet with the students, and you can see the way they glow around her. I happen to have a few siblings of some of her students in my class, and so they will talk about her. It’s a reminder to be kind, generous, and forgiving.

RACHEL: Two of my colleagues used to be my teachers when I went here — Claudia Hatter as my 2nd grade associate teacher, and Leslie Troy as my 4th grade associate teacher. What’s really special about coming back as an adult is that everyone is exactly who I thought they were as a kid — it wasn’t a show. They truly are the wonderful, amazing, kind people that match my memories from childhood.

OWW: How else has this experience benefited your work?

BECCA: We’ve definitely grown from each other, sharing ideas of ways of working with children, and even ways of presenting work. She’s so great with technology and design — I’m so jealous.

OWW SUMMER 2024

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