Why I Teach: ‘I am able to teach by example...’

Wilson Preparatory Academy teacher Bridget Bryant is featured in this week’s Why I Teach.

Current Position: Eighth-grade science teacher.

Total Years Teaching: I am in my 35th year of teaching.

First Teaching Position: My first teaching assignment was at Carrington Junior High in Durham.

Colleges Attended: I graduated from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington

Favorite Quote: “If you want to be rich, then count all of the blessings in your life that do not cost any money.”

Other Interesting Facts: When I am not with my students, I try to retreat to the beach. When I am down on the coast I enjoy walking and riding my bike. I had the opportunity to read “Let God be God” this summer by Ray Stedman. It is an academic read about the book of Job. A wonderful read because of the secrets of wisdom found in it.

Why I Teach: I will only be with these children a small sliver of their life. I want them to glean from me that you treat people as you want to be treated as much as you possibly can. I really believe that with God’s direction, I can be a positive influence for my students. I am able to teach by example in an environment where education actually happens in one of the best possible ways. I teach in the least restrictive environment with little to no distractions and where students tend to behave because that is the expectation. A major factor that keeps me coming back even after 35 years of teaching is the environment at Wilson Preparatory Academy. For me it is such a positive, safe place to be for both students and teachers. I come here every day to a beautiful, clean, state-of-the-arts facility. The faculty here are generous and extremely competent, and the leadership is dedicated to succeeding.