Getting to know Latin teacher Jodi Wickman

Pathfinder: What got you interested in teaching?

Wickman: “After my master’s degree, I wanted to work in a museum and was interning in the education department of Milwaukee Public Museum. I decided to teach for a couple of years to get some experience and fell in love with teaching. This is my 13th year teaching, and I haven’t wanted to go back to museums.”

What class(es) do you teach?

“Latin 1 and 2.”

What made you choose to teach at West?

“My husband was offered a promotion with his company, FlightSafety International. We moved here from Houston, Texas this summer, and I pursued a Latin teaching job here.”

Did you previously teach at a different school? How is West different from that school?

“I taught at three schools in the Houston area over the last 12 years. West is smaller than the public schools in Texas.  The two where I worked had 3,300 and 3,600 students. West also offers a wider variety of foreign language, which is nice.”

Are there any teaching strategies you are using at West that you learned at your previous school?

“I used the same textbooks in Texas, so I use a lot of the same activities and strategies here. It has been nice to have that be the same when so much else in my life has changed!”

Why did you decide to teach Latin? If you could teach another subject, what subject would it be and why?

“My studies were in classical civilizations. I have also taught French in the past because it was my minor, and I enjoyed it! I miss speaking French every day.”

Are there any challenges you are facing while teaching?

“I have two little ones at home, my son Edmond is four and my daughter Cosette is two. I miss them terribly! I also do not know much about the city yet, and it doesn’t feel like home yet.”

How have you overcome these challenges?

“I haven’t yet. Every day is hard being away from my kids. I guess I just take it one day at a time. Same with getting to know the city, I just think it will take time.”

What are you most excited for about your class/this year?

“To get to know my students and to have a colleague with whom I can plan my classes. In Texas, I was doing it all by myself.”

What is your favorite thing about West?

“Everyone is so friendly.”

What is one fun fact about you that you want the students to know about?

“I am a huge Harry Potter fan.”

How would you like students to see you?

“Above all, as a teacher who cares!”

What are your goals for this year?

“To try to attend more Parkway West games and events, to get to know my students and to get to know my new city!”