Joyce Wilton

Education:
Bachelor of Science—Southern Illinois University
Master’s of Education—American Intercontinental University

Teaching Experience:
I have 16 years experience in elementary education. My last 12 years have been in a combined 5th/6th grade classroom. I’ve also taught computer lab for grades K-8 for the last 5 years in addition to my regular classroom.

Related experience, recognition, awards, etc.:
Published in the 2006 edition of Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers.
Published in the 2006 edition of Who’s Who Among America’s Women.

Year started with PLS: 2007

Why I love teaching PLS courses:
I love teaching technology classes, and the things that are taught in these classes are things that can be taken and used on a daily basis.

PLS Courses I Teach:

• Building Your Technology Education and Skills®
• Merging Educational Goals and Interactive Multimedia Projects®

What I love most about teaching:
“To teach is to touch lives forever.” Teaching takes a lot of time, effort, and dedication. I love working with kids—teaching them daily, helping them with their problems, and being there for their successes—and if I can make a difference in one child’s life, then it’s worth every ounce of effort I’ve put into it.

My favorite moment in teaching:
A few years ago I had a deaf student who was going to be entering my class later in the fall. He was not only deaf, but he had several health problems and had recently undergone a kidney transplant. He had always been in special classes for deaf students, and this would be his first time in a regular education classroom setting.

When I found out he was coming I made arrangements with his interpreter to teach my entire class sign language so we could communicate with him. We all worked really hard, and I planned a special science/art project for his first day because he was only coming to visit for a short time.

His interpreter brought him in right after lunch, and he was very hesitant about entering the classroom. She kept trying to coax him in, and he finally told her that he would come in for a few minutes and then he was leaving. When he came into our room, we all greeted him in sign language and introduced ourselves to him. His eyes lit up, and he talked to us a little. He really got excited when we started doing the science/art project, and joined right in--in fact, he was having so much fun that he ended up spending the rest of the afternoon with us!

Personal Information:
I am married and am the very proud mother of 2 daughters (both married) and a son. I also have 2 grandchildren that I love to spend time with. We live on a farm, and I love the outdoors and taking my grandchildren 4-wheeler riding through our fields.

I teach a 3rd-5th grade Sunday School class, and have been the Vacation Bible School director for the last 5 years.

I enjoy working on computers—building, repairing, programming, and showing others how to do things on them. I also make slide show videos for people.