Our student body secretary Mandy had a chance to sit down with new mebers of the Wilder staff for an interview. Please read all about Dr. Cook, Ms. Gizzie, and Mr. McAnarny
Hi, my name is Mandy, your school secretary. I had the chance to interview our new principal, teacher and PE teacher. I hope you get to know them better from my interviews with them!
Interview with Ms. Gizzie
Q: Where did you previously teach?
A: My first year of teaching was at Highland Elementary. I taught 4th grade. I shared a job with another teacher there, so I taught half time. I taught math, science and social studies. Last year I taught 5th grade at Whitman.
Q: What do you like best about teaching?
A: I like the kids. I like spending time with them and helping them grow. I think it’s a lot of fun and it’s also challenging.
Q: What are your favorite interests or hobbies?
A: I have a son, so I spend a lot of time following him around with his hobbies. I have some of my own, too. I like to do Sudoku puzzles. I like to read and play the guitar. I also like doing outdoor activities like camping and hiking.
Q: What kind of music do you like?
A: My favorite is acoustic blues (guitar), kind of old-time music.
Q: Who is your hero?
A: There have been a lot of people who have helped me. When I was young, my swim team coach was my hero. In my previous career, I had a boss who really challenged me in what I was doing in engineering.
Q: What is your favorite subject?
A: I like science. I like to teach it because it’s fun and hands-on and it gets kids interested in science. I just think science is really important.
Q: Do you have a favorite book or author?
A: I like the Harry Potter books. I think JK Rowling is good. I also like the Wimpy Kid books.
Q: Do you have pets?
A: I have a little Schnauzer. His name is Scruffy.
Q: What is your favorite food?
A: I like Indian food.
Q: What is your goal for teaching?
A: My goal for teaching is to make sure my kids learn everything they need to learn and be the best that they can be. I want to see them grow as much as they can.
Interview with Mr. McAnarney
Q: Where did you previously teach?
A: I was at Walt Whitman for four years prior to this. Before that, I taught for 8 years in Aurora Public Schools. Before that I taught special education in St. Louis, Missouri.
Q: What is your favorite color?
A: My favorite color would probably be light blue.
Q: What are your interests or hobbies?
A: I like doing things outside. I ride my mountain bike in the summer, and I like to snowboard in the winter. I go rock climbing, and I like to teach kids how to go rock climbing. I like to play games and have fun with my wife and my dog.
Q: What kind of music do you like?
A: I like alternative music – music I listened to in college.
Q: What is your favorite book or your favorite author?
A: My favorite book is probably On the Road by Jack Kerouac. I also like Kon-Tiki by Thor Heyerdahl.
Q: Do you have a favorite movie?
A: My favorite movie is Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid or anything by Robert Redford.
Q: Do you have any pets?
A: I have a Springer spaniel named Olive. My wife has two cats – Tango and Leeluu.
Q: What is your favorite sport?
A: My favorite sport is basketball.
Q: What is your goal for this year?
A: My goal for this year is to help the Wilder kids stay healthy and fit and to have a lot of fun.
Q: Is there anything else you would like to add?
A: Everyone has just been outstanding and welcoming here at Wilder. It’s been very refreshing to come to a new school.
Interview with Dr. Cook
Q: Where did you work before you came to Wilder?
A: Right before I came to Wilder I lived up in Douglas, Wyoming where I was an administrator for the school district. I was a curriculum director, I was an assistant superintendent and I did many other things too. I worked in technology, special education, the food service program, and reading programs for kids. I had the wonderful opportunity to try out many different things. Before that I was an elementary principal in Gypsum, Colorado. I was also an elementary principal in Pueblo, Colorado. I also used to be an elementary school teacher. I taught on an Indian reservation in New Mexico, and I taught Kindergarten in Utah. I also taught in a one-room schoolhouse up in Wyoming. So, I lived in many different places and did many different things.
Q: What do you like most about being a principal?
A: What I like most about being a principal is working with students - working with boys and girls. I spent a lot of my career working with young children. I absolutely love seeing kids grow into being the best that they can be.
Q: What is your favorite book?
A: I have many favorite books, and I read all the time. I’ve been reading some books this summer that I’ve really enjoyed. One of the series I’ve been reading is called Keys to the Kingdom. That’s a really fun series of books. It’s kind of a children’s line of literature, but it’s something I’ve really enjoyed. Also, I’ve read the Harry Potter Books, and also started reading the Twilight series. I absolutely enjoy reading. I have a daughter who loves to read, and she’s always giving me books to read.
Q: What is your favorite kind of music?
A: I have lots of favorite music. I love music – it’s very much a part of my life. I like everybody from Miley Cyrus to Taylor Swift to The Jonas Brothers. I like Coldplay and I like The Fray. The Fray is from Denver.
Q: What is your favorite food?
A: Pizza. I love pizza. Today is pizza day! I might have to go down to the cafeteria.
Q: Do you have a hero?
A: My hero is somebody who grew up in my hometown in Massachusetts. He was a scientist, and they have named a school just down the road for him. Goddard Middle School is named after him. His name is Robert Goddard. My mother actually knew him and he was friends with my mother’s family. Back in those days, he was saying, “Wow. Man could go to the moon.” People didn’t believe him. They called him Looney Mooney. Then years later, man actually did go to the moon because of Robert Goddard’s experiments. He has always been my hero because he believed that something could take place before we even had ideas of how to do it.
Q: Would you like to add anything else?
A: Yes. This is my dream job working as a principal at this school. Years ago, I lived in a neighborhood across the street from Wilder. I used to drive by the school every day, and think, “Wow, if only I could get a job here.” Here I am. It’s my dream come true. I hope that all children someday are able to have their dreams come true.