Welcome to Mayville Wildcat Alumni Association Website!

Every year my students read novels that include animal companions. Sixth grade reads My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George and seventh grade reads Holes by Louis Sachar.  Especially with technology dominating our student populations, I wanted to give them an experience that got them away from their screens and allow them to make a connection to their stories. I was able to reach out to Nelson from Wildlife Safari in Canton who coordinated a visit with my students, but as everything goes, there is a fee.  The students were determined to raise half of the money to make the visit happen, but after reaching out to the alumni group, they generously covered the cost associated with the visits, giving my students an opportunity that they could’ve missed out on to make a connection to the story. They got to revisit moments of the story as the animals were introduced and Nelson did a great job doing his research, bringing up moments of the story to tie it all back together.  We got to interact with owls, an otter, a chinchilla, a Reg Tegu lizard, an armadillo, and a nearly 200 lb Burmese Python.  As a former worker in the animal medical field, I especially appreciated being able to combine my two loves, reading and animal advocacy,  by bringing attention to wildlife and the respect it deserves. The generosity of this great association opened up the opportunity for Mayville students to develop this admiration and respect as well as consider a new career, discover more literature they are interested in, and encourage them to get outdoors to experience and be kids. Teaching is all about our impact, and on behalf of Mayville Middle School,  thank you everyone for helping to make a big one.   See the slideshow of the students and the Safari animals below.