"Out of the Blue"

Got this bouquet of flowers (in the form of an e-mail) yesterday from one of my former students. My chest swelled up so big I could have exploded. Oh, what a blessing. Thank you, Jennifer, for remembering me. It is with great pleasure I share these flowers here with everyone who passes this way.

Hello Mr. Wylie:

I was in the middle of a Geometry lesson today with my students and a thought of you popped into my head (scary huh?). Since you were so easy to find on the internet, I decided to take a moment and let you know what a positive impact you had on me and my future. I am almost finished with my Masters in Education and I teach Basic Skills courses including GED Math at Skagit Valley Community College in Washington State. I have been a teacher since 1999, it took me awhile to get my act together. I have come a long way since 1983... It has been an incredible journey. The skills I learned in your classes, Math and Yearbook, have served me well. (some of them include: producing quality work, following the steps, show your work, circle your answer, and more importantly patience when you really want to strangle a student, and giving a second chance to someone who does not deserve it.)

While I originally began as a history teacher, I have evolved into an awesome math teacher. The four years I spent in your classroom laid the foundation for me to be the teacher I am today (thou I never knew it at the time) and I just would like to say "thank you." Now I am blessed with the opportunity to lay the same sort of foundation with my students. I have enjoyed a lot of success with my students and I just wanted to share that with you, because you are a part of it. Anyway, I want to wish you well glad to see you are still taking pictures. Thank you again and sorry too for all the grief I caused you. What a blessing that our paths crossed those many years ago.

Jennifer

Basic Skills Instructor

Skagit Valley College

(Malakoff High 1983)

Introduction

First things first--let's get the introductions out of the way. I've heard that "blogging" is like writing a letter to yourself. Does that mean that I am introducing myself to myself? What if I don't like the person I meet? What will that say about me?

But seriously, with all psychobabble aside, here's more than you ever wanted to know about me, because you didn't care enough to ask. I am well over the hill in my journey. A lot of things have changed along the way. As "W" would say, when I was young and irresponsible, I was very irresponsible. I went down a lot of wrong paths. I took a lot of detours before I finally found the straight and narrow road of meaningful life. Thank you, Heavenly Father, for the woman you sent my way who has provided meaningfulness and direction to my life. What a blessing she has been!

Here are my top 10 memorable accomplishments:

1. 1970: Graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in Education. At A&M I was a member of the Corps of Cadets and, for kicks, spent a brief (very brief, because I ran out of money and decided I should spend more time studying) time in the Skydiving Club. Upon graduating I was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army.
2. 1970: While on a double date with someone else, met my future wife. It had taken me almost 23 years to find her. Life has not been the same since.
3. 1971: Wasted no time--married the above mentioned angel in disguise.
4. 1971-73: Served in the U.S. Army--attended the Armor Officers' Basic Course in Ft. Knox, the Airborne School in Ft. Benning, and the Defense Information School in Ft. Benjamin Harrison. Served as the Assistant (and for about four months as the "Acting") Public Information Officer of the 1st Cavalry Division at Ft. Hood. It was a really good ride.
5. 1974: Spent a year at Sam Houston State University studying journalism and learning how to be a yearbook advisor. Was named the Outstanding Journalism Graduate of 1974-75 by the campus chapter of Sigma Delta Chi.
6. 1980: Earned my master's degree in education from Stephen F. Austin State University.
7. 1975-1987: Served as a public school teacher in East Texas, teaching math, chemistry, physics, journalism, and yearbook. What a blast! Those 12 years are the ones of which I am most proud. I actually loved my job, thought I was exceptionally good at it, and would still be doing it, were it not for the fact that I needed to provide a better living for my family and some other factors not to be mentioned here. I miss the kids and the relationships we developed. I had some really outstanding students. I relish in their success.
8. 1987 to present: Immediately after completing my final year of teaching, I became a full time professional photographer. I had been photographing weddings on weekends since the birth of our first child in 1977. The photography business had grown to the point where it was interfering with the teaching career--or was it the other way around? I've never looked back. Photography doesn't provide the same meaningful rewards that teaching does, but BOY, WHAT FUN! And much less stress.
9. 2001: Designated a "Certified Professional Photographer" by the Professional Photographers of America. Less than three percent of all imaging professionals have earned this designation--there are less than 150 CPPs in Texas as of this date.
10. 2006: Said goodbye to film forever and took the plunge into digital. Suddenly, when you didn't think it could get any better, photography is more fun than ever! It's hard to believe people actually pay me to do this.
11. UPDATE: Retired from professional photography in 2013.