MMS Teacher Spotlights

Dana Wilde was born in Utah but moved to Colorado when she was very young. When she was in kindergarten she moved to Morgan with her family, where she lived throughout the remainder of her childhood. After graduating from Morgan High School in 1983, she spent her freshman year at Utah State University. She then transferred to Weber State University where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education with minors in Science and Art. Twenty years later, in 2007, Wilde went back to Weber State University and graduated with a Master of Education degree in Curriculum and Instruction.

Wilde began her teaching career in 1987 at Plain City Elementary in Weber County, teaching sixth-grade Social Studies, Math, and Language Arts. After teaching there for four years she decided to stay home full time with her children for nine years. She then taught part time at Samuel Morgan Elementary in Davis County teaching fourth-grade math and science and sixth-grade math for one year. Wilde currently is in her 22nd year teaching at Morgan Middle School where she has taught sixth-grade Science and Language Arts.

“One of my teachers in high school suggested I become a teacher and at the time I wasn’t sure that is what I wanted to do, so I was exploring several other options in college,” stated Wilde. I decided to take an education class and immediately felt at home. I knew that is what I wanted to be. I have always loved learning.”

Wilde said of teaching, “I love teaching and seeing the excitement when students have their ‘ah-ha moments.’ I love providing them with experiences that will shape their future. I love the connections with students and watching them succeed throughout their lives.” 

This year, in addition to teaching a half day of sixth-grade science, Wilde has been working as an Instructional Coach during the other half of the day. “I have loved working with all of our teachers this year as an instructional coach by providing support with goals, professional development, curriculum resources, and data analysis.” She continued, “I'm impressed by the unique teaching styles and strengths each of them bring to our school." 

Wilde has known her husband Jamie since they were in elementary school together but didn’t date until after high school. They have been married for 36 years. Together they have three children. Jordan works as a custodian at MMS, Nick lives in Arizona with his wife Elisa and their two year old daughter, Maylee. Nick is a computer programmer. Emily lives in West Point, Utah with her husband Josh. She is an accountant.

“My pioneer ancestors (Porters/Carters) settled in Morgan where my grandparents and parents grew up,” stated Wilde. My parents returned to Morgan when I was five to raise their family.”  The Wilde's moved back to Morgan to raise their family in 1996. Prior to moving back to Morgan, they lived in Roy, Utah; Las Vegas, Nevada; and Idaho Falls, Idaho.

 In her spare time, Wilde loves traveling to see new places with friends, going to Arizona to see their new grand baby and kids there and spending time with their children and extended family here. She loves reading, hiking, boating, taking drives, and painting with watercolors. “We have a long-standing card game with friends where we have kept a running score for years, Wilde said. They get together often to play. λ