Virginia Wildman Pooler

Friends,

I don’t post on here too often anymore, although I know my mother’s memory is alive and well in your hearts. Twenty-four years later, she is still missed and loved dearly.

I was asked to write a piece about her recently for something forthcoming, and while I delayed my response for a bit, I jotted down these words this morning. - EPC

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My mother always said, "'Gin,' like in tonic" when people asked her name. To the students, she was Pooler. My mother was known for being straightforward, down-to-earth, and approachable. Don't mistake her seasonal wooden figural necklaces, skirts, pantyhose, and sensible Naturalizer heels for some sort of stuffed shirt schoolmarm. She was my mom at home, but she recognized that she mothered so many of her students at school too. She attracted the types of students that came to school to be loved, to be understood, who perhaps weren't receiving that attention at home. I can point to at least two students who were expelled from Whitney for disciplinary reasons, who were mentored by my mother, who helped them on their redemption journeys. Both of those two men are successful in their own right and have grown from that childhood setback. She didn't turn her back on her students, regardless of the maladaptive behaviors they may have demonstrated in other classrooms. My mother's high emotional quotient allowed her to connect with even the most difficult of students. As a result of all of this, even the most reluctant learner looked forward to her class and could make the connection between their lives and the life lessons she was infusing in her 8th-grade science lessons. My mother was creative in her application of science principles to real-life lessons for her students. Before the s*x education curriculum (a "fan favorite" where screams could be heard around the school during the infamous slide show of STDs gone wrong), she used to teach a lesson on etiquette and table manners. As she'd assert, "you're probably going to have to go on a nice date before you have s*x." She helped students make the connection between cooking and science experiments, stressing the importance of following directions in both recipes and the laboratory during quarterly cooking assignments in which students would have to prepare a dish and then have it reviewed by two other people. And who could forget the egg baby assignment? Probably not the janitorial staff, as they dealt with the aftermath of negligent "parents" around school. My mom had a way of bringing the curriculum alive, regarding her students with the respect and maturity that they craved as young teens and holding them accountable with a straight-shooting and sometimes sarcastic quip. My mother was universally respected and loved by the students and staff at Whitney. She was there when it opened in 1976, and in December of 2000, I remember her telling some well-wishing student visitors that she was going back to work soon. She passed away on February 19th, 2001. Her commitment to her students and Whitney High School was unmatched, save for her love for her children.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! I’m sure my mom would want me to send you this update to her etiquette class as we roll into the holiday season. 😉 - Erin

Today marks 20 years without you here. 💔

Leave your favorite Pooler memories in the comments below. 👇

We’re on the eve of my mother’s 19th “Angel-versary,” and it’s a snow day in Colorado. ☃️ This calls for my mom’s favorite oatmeal chocolate chip cookies! She used to make this recipe all the time, especially when she was procrastinating from grading papers! Enjoy!

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Servings: 4 dozen +/-
Categories:
Source: Personal

Ingredients

• 1c shortening
• ¾ c sugar
• ¾ c brown sugar
• 1tsp vanilla
• 2 eggs
•
• 1½ c flour
• 1½ c oatmeal
• 1tsp baking soda
• 1tsp salt
• 1½ c chocolate chips (I prefer semi-sweet)
• 1c chopped walnuts (optional)

Directions

Cream together shortening, sugar, vanilla and eggs.

Then add all other ingredients.

Mix thoroughly and spoon onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees F for 8-10 minutes. (Recent attempt was 12 minutes.)

Keep cookie sheet away from burner/heating element to avoid burning the bottom of cookies. Pull from oven a bit early to ensure chewy cookies.

Sending birthday wishes and love up to heaven today. My angel mother would have been 70. 👼🏼

Thank you Philip Westerland (c/o 99) for this photo that he found.

Remembering my mom, on this 16th anniversary since the day she left us. How I wish I could hold my child today, and hug my father [I am currently deployed]. We've come so far since that day, and I know she has blessed us on our journey forward.

I love you mom, and miss you immensely. - EPC

Happy 67th birthday to my angel mother, Virginia Wildman Pooler. I pondered that number last night. Sixty-seven, wow! She probably would be retired by now, or at least I hope so. I think she'd be living nearby or at least flying here often. I remember conversations in her hospital bed where she pointed out children's toys on the TV. She very much wanted to be a grandma, and I know she would have loved Molly to bits.

How appropriate that today is the day Molly and I leave for Mexico, one of my mom's favorite destinations. As she was increasingly growing more ill, she always talked about getting back there. We scattered half of her ashes there.

I am so blessed to carry on her legacy and share her traditions with my own daughter. ❤👩‍👧- EPC

Regardless of your political affiliation or how you voted, it was great to read this about my mom today. ❤️ Thank you, Hope. Between this and another personal feel-good moment/feedback from a student, it's a great day to be a teacher.

"In the 4th grade, I met a feminist for the very first time in a classroom in the C-Building at Stowers Elementary School. She posited the exciting idea that women could achieve so much more than what we were previously restricted to achieve. From that first week of the school year, much to the dismay of my immigrant mom, I began to question the gender-based traditions and beliefs of not just American culture but of Japanese culture, and I really never looked back.

Today, I cast my ballot for the first major party female candidate for the highest office in the land keeping in mind all the sacrifices made by the suffragettes and their male allies, who fought for the women's right to vote, and I did so in honor of my 4th grade teacher, Virginia Wildman Pooler (who may or may not have been a Clinton supporter but certainly rocked a pantsuit). She didn't know it but in my little eight-year old pea brain, she started a revolution. "

Mom welcomed her own mother home today, at 91 years of age. I am thankful they are together, once more. ❤️ - EPC