ES SPOTLIGHT: Hillary Wylie
Source/Author: Adriana Hollenbeck, Head of The Experiential School of Tampa Bay
October 13, 2022
Alpha Teacher Hillary Wylie has several years of experience teaching, ranging from preschool to fourth grade. Before starting at Shorecrest she was teaching Kindergarten at Riverview Academy of Math and Science in Riverview, Florida. Hillary received her B.S. in Elementary Education from the University of South Florida and is currently at the University of Florida working towards her M.Ed. in Educational Technology. Hillary believes that creating strong bonding relationships with students and families is the best foundation for learning. She believes that children are in charge of their learning and she takes a hands-on learning approach in the classroom. She has been participating in studies with the North American Reggio Emilia Alliance, deepening her understanding of the philosophy.
We asked Hillary some get-to-know-you-better questions:
Who is your hero?
My hero is a high school teacher I had, Ms. McEwen. She took me in even when I had no business taking her class and she is one of the main people who pushed me to go to college and get my degree in education.
Have you ever had a nickname? What is it?
I come from a larger family so I have had several nicknames over the years. My favorites are Hilly and Holray, given to me by my siblings and my first nephew, they hold sentimental meaning for me.
In the evening, would you rather play a game, visit a relative, watch a movie, or read?
I am an avid puzzler and enjoy spending my evenings working on my next one.
Would you rather vacation in Hawaii or Alaska, and why?
I would like to go to Alaska. I was born there and left before I could form any big memories, so I would love to go back and experience it.
If you could go back in time, to what year would you travel?
I would travel back to when my sisters and I were younger. We are all spread out now as we have grown and moved to different places. I think it would be nice to go back to a simpler time in our lives and just be sisters again.
How would your friends describe you?
My friends often describe me as the mom or caretaker of the group, but they also like to compare my energy levels to that of a squirrel.
What are your hobbies?
I like to go on walks with my dog, paint, sew and just being in nature with my family.
What is the best gift you have been given?
I can’t narrow it down to just one, but my favorite gifts are the sentimental ones. Ones that the people in my life saw and knew I would love it and that created a special meaning for me.
If you were a superhero, what powers would you have?
I would like to have super sonic hearing. As I get older I have noticed my hearing isn’t the best anymore so it would be nice to have perfect hearing.
What's your favorite zoo animal?
An elephant or a tortoise.
If you could live anywhere, where would it be?
I would live in Aruba, I love the weather and the culture there. The food is amazing as well!
What is your favorite thing about your career?
That I get to do what I have always wanted to do and I have so much fun teaching.
What is your proudest accomplishment?
Starting the family I have dreamed of having since I was a little girl.
What makes you laugh the most?
My husband David. I know everyone thinks their partner is the funniest but he truly knows how to make me really laugh.
What did you want to be when you were small?
I have always wanted to be a teacher, my sisters and I would play school and I was always the teacher.
If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be?
I would like to go to all the restaurants on my bucket list and be able to eat without feeling full.
We asked Hillary some get-to-know-you-better questions:
Who is your hero?
My hero is a high school teacher I had, Ms. McEwen. She took me in even when I had no business taking her class and she is one of the main people who pushed me to go to college and get my degree in education.
Have you ever had a nickname? What is it?
I come from a larger family so I have had several nicknames over the years. My favorites are Hilly and Holray, given to me by my siblings and my first nephew, they hold sentimental meaning for me.
In the evening, would you rather play a game, visit a relative, watch a movie, or read?
I am an avid puzzler and enjoy spending my evenings working on my next one.
Would you rather vacation in Hawaii or Alaska, and why?
I would like to go to Alaska. I was born there and left before I could form any big memories, so I would love to go back and experience it.
If you could go back in time, to what year would you travel?
I would travel back to when my sisters and I were younger. We are all spread out now as we have grown and moved to different places. I think it would be nice to go back to a simpler time in our lives and just be sisters again.
How would your friends describe you?
My friends often describe me as the mom or caretaker of the group, but they also like to compare my energy levels to that of a squirrel.
What are your hobbies?
I like to go on walks with my dog, paint, sew and just being in nature with my family.
What is the best gift you have been given?
I can’t narrow it down to just one, but my favorite gifts are the sentimental ones. Ones that the people in my life saw and knew I would love it and that created a special meaning for me.
If you were a superhero, what powers would you have?
I would like to have super sonic hearing. As I get older I have noticed my hearing isn’t the best anymore so it would be nice to have perfect hearing.
What's your favorite zoo animal?
An elephant or a tortoise.
If you could live anywhere, where would it be?
I would live in Aruba, I love the weather and the culture there. The food is amazing as well!
What is your favorite thing about your career?
That I get to do what I have always wanted to do and I have so much fun teaching.
What is your proudest accomplishment?
Starting the family I have dreamed of having since I was a little girl.
What makes you laugh the most?
My husband David. I know everyone thinks their partner is the funniest but he truly knows how to make me really laugh.
What did you want to be when you were small?
I have always wanted to be a teacher, my sisters and I would play school and I was always the teacher.
If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be?
I would like to go to all the restaurants on my bucket list and be able to eat without feeling full.
