Tamara Wiley

Tell us why you became a teacher

I actually became a teacher on the suggestion of my dad. I’m the oldest child in the family and my mother ran a day care. I’ve been managing kids since I was a kid myself. I started out with a business degree and my dad suggested that I add an education degree to go along with it. I’ve never looked back. I absolutely love it and feel it is my mission and calling to be here with these students.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

There are memorable moments every year. Indiana just made it a requirement for all high school graduates to graduate with a computer science credit for the high school diploma. That new class was given to me. I’m working with students on programming devices and circuit boards with two different programming languages. It’s such a thrill to watch a student who has been struggling with the process persevere and it actually work. They get so excited.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would do a couple of things if I won $25,000. First, I would travel. I would love to spend a summer in southern Italy or Spain. Learning the language and the culture of the area would be absolutely amazing. Second, I would get some new circuit board devices for my department. Right now we only have a classroom set and have to share. I would be nice to have enough for all three classrooms so each teacher can do the projects on their time schedule.