This year at Kempsville, there are 24 new teachers. Among them is Biology teacher Ms. Grace Wilde. Born in Chesapeake, Virginia, Wilde graduated from Hickory High School and attended Virginia Tech to study biology. She was involved in the Marching Virginian’s color guard and a member of a local co-ed leadership fraternity. “It was a great community to mature and learn, the spirit was great, it was a very welcoming place to be.” said Wilde.

“It was a great community to mature and learn. The spirit was great, and it was a very welcoming place to be,” said Wilde.

Creating routines and teaching them to the Marching Virginians’ color guard was where Wilde first got her confidence to teach. Later, in her junior year at Tech, Wilde was assigned an education-based project from her Ornithology professor. For Wilde’s project, she taught a local elementary school about birds.

“Seeing the students asking questions, being able to answer the questions, and seeing the lightbulbs going off in their heads…I knew what I wanted to do,” said Wilde.

Following that project, Wilde applied to graduate school to begin her Masters in Education.

Having great biology teachers in high school interested Wilde in the subject of biology. Her marching band teacher was the one who impacted her as a leader.

“He pushed me out of me shy-blocks, to take charge and show others that I can help them,” said Wilde.

Her ornithology professor helped her realize that biology is what Wilde wanted to teach. This is Wilde’s first year of teaching.

“My first impression of Kempsville was that it was very welcoming and inviting. I met the administration and other teachers and they are very supportive,” said Wilde.

Wilde is excited for this year and taking her students outside to examine different specimens and doing hands-on projects with her students. She hopes that her students will be able to make a connection with biology this year.

“I want my students to ask questions, ask for help, embrace the diversity of others in the classroom, and be respectful of others,” said Wilde.