By SANDRA THAMES / Community Columnist

In a joint teaching situation, Tanya Horrell Wildman and her best friend Cindy Hutter are in charge of 32 kindergarten students.

Her passion is schooling these youngsters in the direction they need to go to insure a great start on their way to a successful education.

A Thompson High School graduate, Wildman attended the University of Alabama for one year then transferred to the University of Montevallo, where she graduated with her bachelor’s degree in early childhood/elementary education.

In 1992 she married Michael Wildman of Pelham and was a stay-at-home mom until her two sons began school.

Older son Joshua works at a digital printing company in Pelham, while younger son Chris is a junior at the University of Alabama.

Husband Michael is director of operations for Transportation Services, Inc.

In 2000 Wildman was hired to teach first grade at Meadow View Elementary.

By 2003 she had earned her master’s degree and is currently working on her Educational Specialist degree in Teacher Leadership, which she will complete in May 2016.

She has been teaching for 16 years with the last seven years as a kindergarten teacher.

Wildman says, “The thing I like most about my job is providing a positive learning experience for all children. The things I love best are the sweet hugs and ‘I love yous’ each day. What really makes my day is the moment you see their eyes light up when they finally understand a concept,” she said.

Wildman is a member of the Reading Professional Learning Community at Meadow View and has served as a grade level chair, PLC chair and a member of the school leadership team.

Alabaster has been home to Wildman since 1976 when her father was transferred here from Virginia.

The family has been members of the Metropolitan Church of God for the past 24 years and are huge Alabama fans.

Traveling, reading and spending time with family and friends are among her favorite activities.

“Someday I would like to become an administrator, hopefully in the Alabaster School System,” she said. “Personally, I hope to have lots of grandchildren one day and be able to spend my days with them.”