Sia Willie – 2022-2023 Fellow

1st Grade Math, Social Studies, Reading, Writing, and Word Study Teacher in Wilmington, DE

Wilmington Friends School

I am a proud mother of three boys, ages 11, 13, and 17, who are very comfortable and confident in the kitchen.
 
I have worked in the field of education since 2002, beginning as an Early Elementary Language Arts specialist and Camp Program Director for the Winchester School in Maryland. While in pursuit of my Master’s in Teaching English as a Second Language, I taught English-to-French high schoolers in Cotonou, Benin, and to Russian toddlers in Boston, Massachusetts. I began at Wilmington Friends School as an associate teacher and quickly secured a lead position as a pre-kindergarten teacher. I later transitioned to teaching preschool before finding my permanent home in first grade. My summers are spent as one of the directors of the Mighty Munchkins Camp as well as the Middle School Camp.
 
Regardless of the grades I’ve taught, food has always been a great connector for me. Originally from Liberia, West Africa, I’ve introduced my students to similarities and differences between cultures through food and storytelling. There are many lessons that can be taught through food exploration which combine a variety of academic themes. It’s amazing to watch the real world application of subjects unfold through the world of food.
 
Since completely my Fellowship year, I have become an author! I turned the story of my grandmother teaching me how to make bread into a book. Learn more and find a copy here: https://fyenetwork.com/product/liberian-rice-bread/

A favorite Food Education memory: 

One of my favorite food education lessons was when I talked to my students about trying new foods or old foods in new ways. This lesson stemmed from teaching them not to “yuck” someone else’s “yum.” Personally, I am not a fan of bananas, but I have learned to eat them. To illustrate this, I had the students bring in bananas for a snack and they watched keenly as I ate a fruit I wasn’t fond of. We let the bananas brown over a few days, and I shared a story about how I learned to bake and cook from my grandmother. Then, my class made Liberian Rice Bread using the browned bananas, which turned out to be a huge hit in the classroom.

Favorite Food Education Standard: 

#1 – Food Connects Us to Each Other.

How Pilot Light changed my teaching:

For the 2024-25 school year, one of our first grade units will be The Human Body. I am very excited about the food education opportunities that this unit will lend itself to. There are so many possibilities, such as teaching mindful eating, reading labels, and making better food choices. This unit will provide a fantastic platform to integrate food education into our curriculum and help students develop a deeper understanding of how their food choices impact their bodies. I can’t wait to see how these lessons unfold and how they will benefit our students.

“This program allowed me to connect with a variety of teachers and learn from them. Honestly, I was surprised that something like this existed because it aligns so well with who I am. Discovering that there are others passionate about food education was very encouraging. For teachers looking to grow in different ways, Pilot Light provides wonderful support. The guest speakers during our professional development sessions opened my eyes to more possibilities. Outside of my classroom, I have also started a cooking class in my school’s afterschool program. It has been amazing to introduce foods from other cultures to students throughout our school.”

-Sia Willie

 

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