Liza Wilcox

Education

B.A., Eastern Washington University, English, Education, History

M.A., Eastern Washington University, English

Biography:

Liza Wilcox began what she calls her "adult" journey not in academia, but in a lawyer’s office. From a fairly young age, she wanted to be Della Street, Perry Mason’s highly efficient, much-depended-upon secretary (or paralegal by today's standards). For Wilcox, the character was the epitome of professionalism, so she accomplished that goal and loved the work.

Years later, she was living on a military base in Japan, with a husband, three young daughters, and a part-time job, when she set a new goal to become a teacher. Initially drawn to early childhood education, it was when she held her first literature anthology that she knew her heart was in teaching English. ("Yes, I kissed my first canon," she admits. "Is that weird?") Her fondness for reading and all things English (even that "yucky" grammar stuff), made the realization less of an "ah-ha" moment and more of a “well, duh” one.

Once she completed her bachelor’s degree in education with an emphasis in English and history, Wilcox "just kept going" to earn a master’s degree in English with an emphasis in literature and composition. She began teaching in 2002 and joined North Idaho College in 2009.

"I have loved every minute!" she says. "I love creating a fun, supportive environment for my students, helping them improve their thinking and writing skills, and helping them understand the value of education. But above all," she adds, "I especially love helping students become more confident and compassionate human beings."