Ms. Linda Wyatt

profile:

LINDA WYATT

Ms. Wyatt moved to Los Angeles after high school to attend UCLA from 1968-1972. She completed an additional year in order to gain a California teaching credential. In 1974, she found her second “family” at Providence High School, which became a co-educational school in the same year. When she came to the Providence community, she had a sense of being at home in the Catholic Church and in 1978 she became a Catholic. The Sisters of Providence have had a great influence on her personal and professional growth during her more than four decades at Providence and she became a Sisters of Providence Associate in 2012.

Ms. Wyatt is committed to the school’s mission and values, and her years of teaching have been richly rewarding. In 1994, Ms. Wyatt received the Los Angeles Times Teacher of the Year Award, and in 1999 she was honored for 25 years of teaching at a special celebration. Current and former students attended this mass and reception which are among her treasured memories of Providence.

In addition to teaching French, she served as the World Languages Department Chair, the ASB Advisor, and a Kairos Adult Team Member. Ms. Wyatt has held many positions during her tenure at Providence including Sophomore Class Moderator, Senior Class Moderator, CSF Advisor, Spanish teacher, and English teacher.

Ms. Wyatt's interests include travel, movies, classical concerts, reading and her two cats. A highlight of her career at Providence has been the summer Europe trips where she has led PHS students on tours throughout the Western European countries for more than 20 years.

After 44 years, Ms. Linda Wyatt is retiring from Providence. Known for her cheerful disposition, Ms. Wyatt always greeted her students and colleagues with a smile and a friendly “hello.” She was honored during this year’s Baccalaureate Mass and a special luncheon is being held in her honor this August (see page 39 for more information).

Born and raised in Albany, New York, Wyatt is the oldest of four children. During her childhood, reading and education were a priority in her home. She was introduced at an early age to the arts by her mother who was a freelance art critic for the local newspaper. Consequently, she discovered her vocation of teaching as a little girl and created her own “school” with her friends on the block as her students.

You received your BA in French and minored in Spanish. What inspired you to study different languages, and ultimately, teach them?

I knew teaching was my vocation from the time I was a little girl. I set up a play school with the kids from my block and enjoyed teaching them. In high school I was inspired by my high school French teacher and went on to major in French and minor in Spanish at UCLA. I love languages and learning about other cultures.

You were inspired by the Sisters of Providence to become a Catholic. What was it about them that compelled you to make the leap of faith, so to speak?

The Sisters of Providence are my role-models; I love their commitment to Christ and service to others, especially the poor. I am not only inspired by their faith, but also by the fact that they are truly happy women. It has been a pleasure to work with them and to continue my friendship with them by becoming a Providence Associate and celebrating their Jubilees with them. Sr. Mary Hawkins and Sr. Susanne Hartung were my godmothers when I became a Catholic in 1978 and my friendship with them continues to this day.

You’re an avid traveler, and have chaperoned numerous PHS Europe trips. Do you have a favorite destination?

I love to travel and have especially enjoyed my trips with my students and colleagues to Europe. I began leading students abroad in 1980 and continued regularly until 2001, with a hiatus and then a couple more trips in 2012 and 2013. Besides visiting sites and enriching their understanding of being global citizens, the students learned important life skills. It was also wonderful to see them use their language skills in France and Spain. My favorite destination of course is Paris - it is such a beautiful and romantic city, rich in art and culture. I feel that the travel experience is truly the “global classroom.” Some of my favorite memories include:

• Enjoying views of Paris from the Eiffel Tower • Some of the students watching the fireworks on Bastille

Day while riding the large Ferris wheel • The excitement of the locals and our students watching the World Cup Finals on a large screen TV in the park near our hotel. That year, France beat Brazil 3-0 to win and the city exploded with exhilaration. • Going to the beach at the Riviera in France • Watching a Flamenco performance in Barcelona • Going to Easter Mass at the Vatican and receiving the

Pope’s blessing

What will you miss the most about PHS?

I will definitely miss the PHS community the most - it has been my second family. It has always been a caring community with a deep commitment to our core values. My students have kept me young and I will miss their energy and enthusiasm - teaching them has been my passion. I will also miss my colleagues, many of whom have been my friends through the years. I have been proud to teach with them. I’ll miss being ASB Advisor - it was a privilege to work with the student leadership and I have great memories of our leadership camps and planning activities together, especially Theme Night.

What do you look forward to in your retirement?

I look forward to more travel, reading, visiting museums, attending concerts, spending time with family and friends, and enjoying my home.