Mrs. Wendy Betts
Favorite Bible Verse:
“She is strong and respected and not afraid of the future. She speaks with a gentle wisdom.” Proverbs 31:25–26
In God’s perfect timing, I came into this world while my parents were on their way to the hospital for my delivery, with my sister in the back seat generously willing to give up her blanket for my comfort. While this very first experience of mine made my parents punctual people, this is an area I do put effort into. I grew up in a very small town in Iowa and enjoyed a childhood of biking around town, playing with friends and neighbors until dark, first job experiences on the farm including various uncles as employees and cousins as co-workers, and going to school with teachers who knew your parents from church and Bible study.
I went to college at Concordia University in Seward, Nebraska, and accepted my first call as a teacher at St. Matthew in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Living in Pittsburgh was, of course, a stark contrast to all other experiences at this point in my life, but God certainly blessed me with a loving church, families, and students who taught me a whole new perspective in living faithfully and trusting in God. During this time, I met Mr. Betts right here at Immanuel in Wisconsin Rapids when visiting my sister and her family. A year later we were married, and I began teaching here. Immanuel and the Wisconsin Rapids area has been my home for just about 30 years, where I have taught many grades, learned many new things, and raised 3 of my own children. When I’m not at Immanuel, I enjoy traveling to see family or to a tropical location that may or may not have a theme park, boating, reading, and spending time with loved ones.
Our school’s theme this year is “Endure” (Hebrews 12:1-3). Briefly share a time in your life when you felt you needed the endurance that only God can provide. How can you use your experience to share God’s love with the students and families in our school?
I can think of lots of examples both professionally and personally that I felt I needed to endure something. However, much of it depended on my attitude. When trying to deal with negative circumstances on my own, I count down the minutes and just survive it. When I ask God to help me carry the load, I find something much better than survival…God’s strength helps me thrive in the situation and “bloom right where I’m planted.” God’s power and love help me through a negative circumstance so I become wiser, energized, and with stronger relationships. Another way to think of enduring is to consider things that will last. On my own, there is nothing lasting I will leave in this world. It is only what I do for others because of Christ’s love and mercy that will last and continue on.
What is the last book you read? What book is next on your list?
Since I’m often reading more than one book at a time, the most recent books I finished are Shifting the Balance: 6 Ways to Bring the Science of Reading into the Balanced Literacy Classroom and Swan Song by Elin Hilderbrand which is a thrilling mystery and romance on Nantucket Island. Next up…I just ordered a copy of Teaching Reading Across the Day, Grades K-8: Methods and Structures for Engaging, Explicit Instruction which I have been wanting to read. I also am looking forward to rereading books on the Battle of the Books Rewind Edition book list for our competition this year. These books are some of my favorite children and young adult literature.
Hometown: Charter Oak, IA
Bachelor’s Degree: Secondary Education in English and Health, Concordia University Nebraska
Master’s Degree: Educational Literacy with a Reading Teacher License and a Reading Specialist License, Concordia University Wisconsin
Master of Curriculum and Instruction