Teacher Spotlight: Sally Wilson
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Meet Sally Wilson, professor of biology and teacher of environmental biology, human anatomy and physiology, horticulture and applied systems thinking at Marshalltown Community College.
Wilson, 60, began her educational trek in 1977 at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y. where she earned a bachelor of science degree with an emphasis in ecology, systematics and evolution. She completed her master of science in biology education at Long Island University in Greenvale, N.Y. and in 2018 completed an MBA with an emphasis in sustainability from Green Mountain College in Vermont
Wilson's family includes two daughters - Eliza, 29, and Olivia, 24 - her Corgi dog, Rosie and grandpuppy, Luna.
"I live right here in Marshalltown near Rogers Elementary School where I can hear the kids playing on the playground," she said. "But I have spent most of my life living on farms and ranches of various sizes and types."
Q: Why did you decide to become a teacher?
A: I was on my way to being a field biologist or conservationist and my mom asked me to tutor a friend's daughter in algebra, and then suggested I get a teaching degree as a plan B. I really enjoyed tutoring, began substitute teaching and took to it like a duck to water. I have been at it ever since. All together that would add up to 38 years with some time off here and there when my girls were little.
Q: What is it like being a teacher at MCC?
A: I have taught at many interesting places - high school in New York, small and large colleges in Indiana and Iowa and I have enjoyed all of them. But I consider myself to be very fortunate to have been invited to teach at MCC. It is my favorite place to teach. I have a lovely classroom, great colleagues and a very diverse and interesting student body. There is never a dull moment here. I am always learning new things. I greatly appreciate that the emphasis here is on effective teaching.
Q: What are the best aspects of your job?
A: The best aspect of my job is meeting so many interesting people and helping students who may have had limited success in their studies in the past to learn that the can learn. It is a wonderful reward to see a student succeed both in the classroom and in life when previously they struggled. It is also fantastic to hear back from my graduates that they are continuing to learn and grow and use the skills they developed at MCC to help them succeed in life.
Q: What are the biggest challenges you face?
A: More today than ever before I worry about my students. I see much more stress, more struggles, poorer health and lack of sleep and rest among my students. I find I am coaching them a great deal about how to deal with anxiety and stress, how to take good care of their health and eat better so they can perform well at school and in their jobs. I have many returning adult students trying to earn a better living who are going to school full-time, taking care of families and even parents and working multiple jobs. It is just too much for people to have to handle all these worries.
Q: What do you want the people of Marshalltown to know about your job or about the school?
A: Since I have worked at many sizes and types of colleges I have to say that community college is the best bargain and should not be overlooked as a way to keep student debt down. With regards to MCC, I can vouch that our instructors really care about their students, want them to go on with their educations and be successful in life. Only at a small college such as ours do students get the individualized attention they deserve.
Q: What do you like to do in your spare time:
A: I love to garden and grow flowers, herbs and other edibles. I also help to maintain numerous prairie plantings around town. I am also an artist and love to paint and produce 3D work from upcycled materials that would otherwise be thrown away. I love to cook and bake and specialize in gluten-free and dairy-free dishes and treats. I love to travel, although I don't get to do this as much as I like. I also enjoy exercising and walking with my pals from MCC. I have two goals in life - change the world and feed people.