Retiree Connection - Wanda Williams

Just a Chat with Retiree Wanda Williams

When did you begin working at Jefferson State?
I began working at Jefferson State in 1973.

What was your first position at Jefferson State?

My first position was English instructor.

When did you retire?

I retired in 2000.

What was your title when you retired?

I retired as chair of Language Arts division.

How do you spend most of your time as a retiree?

Most of my time is spent teaching 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th grade English at Advent Episcopal School.

What do you enjoy most about retirement?

What I enjoy most is having the opportunity to do something so different from what I had done most of my professional life. Middle school is another world! Teaching children is a challenge that I could never have anticipated. Most of the time it’s fun, simply because teaching is my passion.

Do you have any children? Any grandchildren?

I have two children: Kyle, aged 30 and Lauren, aged 27.

Where were you born?

I was born in Bessemer, AL.

The most recent book you read was:

Home by Toni Morrison is the most recent book I’ve read.

My favorite quote is:

One of my favorite quotes is “A man’s reach should exceed his grasp, or what’s a heaven for.”

My favorite movie is:

My favorite movie is An Affair to Remember.

My idea of a good evening is:

My idea of a good evening is eating out with friends.

My favorite TV show is:

My favorite TV shows are all of the Law and Order shows.

What inspires you?

People who are committed to a cause that they are willing to work for inspire me the most.

My most memorable moment as a Jefferson State employee was:

My most memorable moment as a Jeff State employee was winning the Outstanding Faculty Member Award in 1993.

My best personality trait is:

My best personality trait is my likability.

My worst personality trait is:

My worst personality trait is that I am controlling and excessively thorough.

Who was your favorite TV or movie personality when you were a child?

As a child my favorite movie personality was Doris Day.

The last thing I messed up on was:

The last thing I messed up on was trying to transport a vase of flowers home from work. I had emptied the water from the vase and carefully placed it in a small cardboard box. My mistake was setting the box on the hood of the car parked next to mine, not realizing how high the winds were that day. I stood in shock as I watched the wind whip the box up and swirl it in slow motion until it crashed to the ground. After cleaning up the glass and bemoaning the loss of a lovely vase, I was eventually able to get the undamaged flowers home. They were a surprise from my son for my birthday.

If I got a million dollars tomorrow, I would:

If I got a million dollars tomorrow, I’d  pay bills, make a donation to my church, take care of my daughter’s grad school expenses (she’s Florida State bound next month), and spread some around the family.

Who do you admire?

I admire my mother, who is the most selfless, giving person I know.

When was the last time you cried?

The last time I cried was when I heard about the hit and run death of the four-year- old boy in Gate City.

What is the first thing you notice about people?

The first thing I notice about people is whether they are friendly or not.

What is your favorite food?

My favorite food is French fries.

What was the last movie you watched?

The last movie I watched was The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.

What is your favorite sound?

My favorite sound is violin music.

What is the farthest you have been from home?

The farthest I’ve been from home is Freeport, Bahamas.

The biggest problem facing the world today is:

The biggest problem facing the world today is people’s refusal to take responsibility, no matter how big or small, for their contribution to society.

Favorite sport?

Basketball is my favorite sport.

My biggest accomplishment has been:

My biggest accomplishment is the positive impact I have had on the people with whom I come into contact.

My favorite musical group is:

My favorite musical group is Earth, Wind & Fire

Were you named after anyone?

My middle name, Odessa, is my maternal grandmother’s name.

What will the next five years hold for you?

The next five years will find me bringing an end to my teaching career and doing some traveling.

Did we forget anything? What else would you like to tell us?

I have such happy memories of the time I spent at Jeff State!  When I walked into my first class in BDH, it was the first time I had ever walked into a classroom as a teacher. I literally grew up at Jeff State. I learned so much from my colleagues and students. Going to work was just fun!