Join Leah & Jeff as we chat with MCHS English Teacher and Former Theatre Director, Heidie Dunn!
"My dad was heavily involved in the civil rights movement in the 60's and was a professor at UW Milwaukee. He actually left his job in protest over a decision to not hire a perfectly qualified woman of color in the history dept. about a month before I was born. We ended up living in his childhood home in northern Wis after his father died, in a century-old farmhouse without running water, phone or television. That upbringing taught me a lot about essentials and luxury and how to carve my own educational path."
Heidie’s Education Story -
Mom was an elementary teacher; dad a history professor at UW Milwaukee, quit his job in protest; bought the family farm, became a farmer; graduated with 88 kids in his class from a small, rural HS; reading Thoreau at 12 because of her father.
Dad active in the Civil Rights movement; history dept. Hired someone from a phone interview; Dept. decided they didn’t want to go in that direction once they found out she was African-American.
Grew up with no running water, electricity run with a generator, all through elem and high school.
More from Heidie:
Who you are “Has a lot to do with who you are inside”
It's what have you gained, not what you have lost
The Silver Lining - the ability to take advantage of things...
Challenges in education & how you dug yourself out of the trenches: Time & Balance
Never feeling there is enough time
Balance of time
Not saying YES every time, but coming to yes EVENTUALLY
Adoption Story - her son Braden:
Former theatre student who was engaged to a young woman, wanted to have a baby for Heidie and her husband;
“The Gifts students give”
Advice for New Teachers:
It is SO worth it.
You still have the ability to do all the things you were trained to do
What we are creating are students who become independent learners more so than EVER before;
HOPEFUL:
When we see the other side of a dark tunnel, we are better people.
What a wonderful opportunity we have.
Opportunity gives me hope.
GUEST CONTACT INFO:
Twitter: Heidie Dunn
HOST CONTACT INFO:
