TO TEACH AND REACH with wendy byard
My book aims to convince educators that love is key to miracle-filled classrooms and interactions.
Once I retired from Mott College, I opened my marketing and graphic design business Wordgirl Marketing. I love helping clients realize their dreams. I create websites, logos, business cards, brochures, and more and provide photography, writing, proofreading, and research. I also share my marketing and advertising knowledge gleaned from working at Group 243 Advertising in Ann Arbor and Grey Chicago.
For almost 20 years I have taught English Composition 1 and 2 to students who added to my heart in immeasurable ways. As I sought to love them, we all experienced the power of relationship.
Serving as a school board trustee for 7 years and chairing the district's teaching and learning committee grew me as an educator. Watch my final meeting/goodbye. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mRfiGt8ByI
I'm a staff writer for On The Town Magazine in Genesee County, MI. I've written about human trafficking, a breast cancer warrior and cancer camp for children, an urban farm for at-risk youth, and many other subjects. These experiences have added insight to my educational views and practice.
From appearing on a local radio show to high school graduation speeches to talks at Saginaw Valley State University, the Genesee County Teachers as Writers Association, the
annual Children's Mental Health Symposium, and the annual Genesee County Counselors' Association, among others, public speaking has enriched and clarified my views. Go to 29:30 at Find Out More below.
Being an ordained deacon is supremely fulfilling but also challenging. You are called to serve, but I often fall short. Yet, there is always the opportunity to gain personal insight, pick yourself up, and try again. Disappointing ourselves and others allows us to grow in humility, self insight, compassion for others, and continued growth.
I've been married for 31 years to Keith Byard, a State Farm Insurance business owner in Lapeer, Michigan. I have three daughters: Haley, an RN, Kacie, employed by Deloitte and lives in Grand Rapids, and Kellee, employed by the University of Washington in Seattle.
I earned my Master's Degree from Michigan State University (Critical Issues in the Teaching of English); my Bachelor's from MSU (journalism and history); and my 9-12 Teaching Certificate from, where else, MSU! While there, I wrote for The State News. Later in life, I was an advertising executive at Grey Chicago and Group 243 Ann Arbor. Then I turned my attention to teaching: high school English and history. Now I'm a composition instructor at Mott College in Flint and Lapeer, Michigan. Go Bears! And, of course, go Spartans! "On the banks of the Red Cedar, there's a school that's known to all . . . ."
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