Teacher Spotlight

An Interview with Recently Retired WINGS teacher, Catia Gilpin By Elana Hadi While I attended WINGS, I was fortunate to have Mrs. Catia Gilpin for three major units.  Mrs. Gilpin is a passionate teacher who loves curiosity and looking at things from creative and...

Written by Shannon Carlson, 2018-19 PAGE president. Interview conducted by Alexis Carlson, 3rd grade daughter at WINGS. Mrs. Carolyn Hurd, a prized second grade teacher at WINGS, is casting her eyes on the finish line of her career. Recently, she took a few moments to...

by Sheila Roark Wright Sheila Roark Wright is the parent of a 7th grade student in the gifted program.  Mrs. Wright is grateful that her daughter has the opportunity to study with the amazing teachers in the gifted education program. Trying to describe the many...

By: Emily Aderhold In first grade, LIndsey Gathright responded to a school assignment that, “When I grow up, I want to be a teacher.” She now teaches first grade at WINGS, proving that sometimes dreams do come true. Gathright grew up in Lake of the Ozarks, and...

By: Emily Ader-Hold With a Ph.D. in Theatre History and Theory, a seed no doubt inspired by her high school theatre teacher, Paula Thompson understands the arc of a story. When asked what brings her joy working with gifted children, Dr. Thompson remarked on student...

A Passion for Learning and Teaching By: Elana Hadi and Hannah Young (Edited by Katie Su) Storytelling, universal values and a passion for teaching and reaching. Paula Pursley grew up in Warrensburg, Missouri. She completed her primary, high school, and college...

I am the Librarian at the Phelps Center for Gifted Education.  This is my sixth year at WINGS and with Springfield Public Schools.   I have enjoyed being the Librarian and a Teacher here at Phelps. I am originally from the small town of Seneca Missouri.  I received my...

Toni Aldridge is a third-grade teacher at Phelps School.  She teaches thinking skills and affective education and her major unit classes include students in grades 3 through 5. She grew up in Carthage, Missouri where she has fond memories of the Jasper County Fair,...