NAME: Lee Anne Wheeler
DEPARTMENT/CAMPUS: Woodson Center for Excellence
TITLE: Teacher
YEARS WITH AISD: This year is my 15th year with AISD, 16th year to teach.
WHERE ARE YOU FROM? WHAT SCHOOL DID YOU ATTEND? I grew up and currently live in Clyde. I have been to several colleges and have committed myself to life-long learning. I attended the following: Tarleton State University – BS in Animal Science, McMurry University – Teaching Certification, University of Texas at Arlington – MS Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment, Stephen F. Austin – Principal Certification, Walden University – EdS – Curriculum, Instruction, and Professional Development
TELLS US ABOUT YOUR FAMILY: I am married to the most wonderful man, Jason Wheeler. We have four beautiful children, Jasmine – 16, Lillian – 14, Violet – 13, and Bryan – 10. Life is never dull in our home. We enjoy going to our lake house, fishing, hunting and shooting guns. My family is very involved with the Masonic Fraternity. My husband is a member of the Masons and the Order of the Eastern Star, I am a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and my daughters are very active members of the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls.
TELL US SOMETHING INTERESTING ABOUT YOURSELF: When I graduated high school, my parents told me I should be a teacher. I told them “I would never be a teacher.” I went to college wanting to be a Wildlife Biologist. I graduated with a degree in Animal Science. I worked for the National Parks Service and The US Fish and Wildlife Department. I received a job interview with an Outdoor Education Center from Houston ISD. I took the position and my parents said, “See, we told you to become a teacher…” It turns out they were right. I received my teaching certification about two years later and I am so glad I did. I love what I do!
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF YOUR JOB? The school atmosphere at Woodson Center for Excellence is unlike any other place I have worked. As educators, we came into the field to change lives. That is exactly what we do. The kids who attend school here are many times behind on the credits needed to graduate, for whatever reason it may be. They often have the thought in their heads that it is not possible to finish school with a high school diploma. My favorite part of working at WCE is watching the kids come around to teachers when they have completed their credits and have become a graduate. These students didn’t believe it was possible and to see them walk down the hall in a cap and gown during the campus graduation ceremony is priceless. The student and their families have so much pride and so much joy on their faces. It is the best part of my job!
WHAT HER BOSS SAYS ABOUT HER: “Mrs. Wheeler is an outstanding teacher who goes above and beyond to help our students be successful both in the classroom and in life. She teaches IPC, Biology and Chemistry as well as remediation classes for Biology. She does an amazing job, and we are fortunate to have her be a part of our campus.” – Jaime Tindall, Principal, Woodson Center for Excellence
