Nothing but the Lord, that is how Brenda Wirick describes her 21 years of teaching. Wirick’s teaching experience began in 1988 when she interned at Jefferson Elementary, Bill McRae was the principal and Judy Carney served as her mentor and supervising teacher.
Following her internship Wirick taught in South Carolina as a 2nd grade teacher, then was the 4th and 5th grade Gifted Teacher for several years, but her dream was always to return to Jefferson County, and teach. Nothing but the Lord, brought her back to Jefferson County where she returned to teach at Jefferson Elementary and then taught at her alma mater, Aucilla Christian Academy, for five years. “Teaching at Aucilla was a reset button. Combining both teaching with worship was just what I needed at this time.”
Wirick thanks what she describes as one of the best principals she has served under, Richard Finlayson, for his support and Christian guidance. Teaching in Jefferson County rewarded her with the honor and joy of teaching with internship mentor, Judy Carney and her 4th grade teacher Beulah Brinson and 3rd grade teacher Lee Anderson (Pickles). The joys of working side by side with these ladies Wirick explains as “indescribable, they are the three ladies who made me feel like I could do anything in the world and that I would be very successful, what an amazing feeling.” This attitude has been the heart of Wirick teaching philosophy, she stated, “with every child I teach from 5 to 18 years old, it is my goal to find what makes him or her feel successful, to see their potential and feel good about who they are and who they will become.”
While teaching in Jefferson County Wirick explains how her “Nothing but the Lord” viewpoint brought many years of happiness, love, joy, friendship and hard work. Walking through Winn Dixie and hearing “Mrs. Brown (her previous last name) or Mrs. Wirick” and getting the monster hugs, or seeing a former student working and being successful are the highlight of her day.
Along with the students, Wirick talked about the friendship and bond Jefferson County teachers have. “There is something special about every teacher, but the teachers who have and currently are teaching in Jefferson County are a cut above the rest, honestly some of the best teachers I have encountered have been in Jefferson County, they are simply Nothing but the Lord’s best.”
During her 10 years of teaching in Jefferson County Wirick taught 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, taught and built the Gifted (K-12) program, supervised dual enrollment and worked with students with disabilities.
“Finding the precise academic prescription, to meet the student’s needs” Wirick describes as her specialty which she is constantly perfecting.
Currently, Wirick works at Apalachee Elementary, in Tallahassee. She stated that “leaving Jefferson County was a difficult decision and the hardest day of my life was walking out the door Oct. 15, 2019.” The love Wirick has for the students of Jefferson County is very apparent. She stated, “nothing will make me happier than to see our students successful.”
Wirick has her Bachelors from Florida State University and will complete her Master’s in Exceptional Student Education in December 2020. She is married to Mark Wirick and together they have four children, two dogs and a cat. Mrs. Wirick’s children, Kalyn Brown lives in California and Justin, with granddaughter Willow Brown, live in South Carolina. Step-children Hank Wirick is currently stationed in Germany serving in the United States Army and McKenzie Wirick is a Sophomore at Sante Fe Community College in Gainesville, Fla. In her spare time, Wirick enjoys fishing, long walks, watching Gator football and spending time with friends and family.
You must be logged in to post a comment.