Wiley PTA Welcomes Payton Cummings

The first day of school is right around the corner, and this year we are welcoming several new teachers joining the Wiley team. We are so excited these talented folks will be teaching and leading our kids this year! Our parent volunteers have interviewed each new teacher so we can learn a little more about who they are and what makes them so passionate about teaching. Please help us welcome them to the Wiley family!

In this interview, Wiley mom and PTA VP Marilyn Lall speaks to Wiley’s newest fourth-grade teacher Payton Cummings.

Tell us a bit about yourself and where you were before you got to Wiley. 

I’m From Greenville, NC. I just graduated from Meredith College, where I studied Spanish and Elementary Education. Through my education program at Meredith, I was placed at Wiley to complete my student teaching in 3rd grade. I absolutely loved working with the third-grade team and students at Wiley, so I was overjoyed when I had the opportunity to work in fourth grade and move up with the students.

So how does it feel to transition from 3rd-grade student teacher to 4th-grade teacher?

I'm very excited to move with the students to 4th grade because I really know them, and we’re going to get to grow together and have that transition together. So I think it’s going to be a really good experience for all of us. It’ll take a little bit of transition, though, because they saw me as someone who was learning and they knew me as the student, and now they’re going to see me as a teacher, but I’m really excited about it!

What’s your favorite subject as a teacher?

I love teaching literacy because I have enjoyed reading since I was a child. Since I started teaching, I also found that the subject so easily connects to other subjects and things that students have learned or are learning about. So, we are never just learning about literacy but so many other things as well.

Who was your favorite teacher, and how did they inspire you?

My favorite teacher is probably my 9th grade English teacher, who was also my yearbook advisor. Her classroom was always so welcoming and a place I enjoyed going to learn. She took her time to make us laugh, make us comfortable, and help us understand no matter how long it took.

What are your favorite books for 3rd/4th-grade readers? My son’s favorites are “Dog Man” and “Cat Kid.”

I love “Dog Man” and “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” which is funny because that’s the same thing I was reading when I was in 3rd grade. I think it’s interesting that they’re reading the same things that I was when I was in 3rd grade.

I loved reading mystery books in elementary school. Some of my favorite series were “Nancy Drew,” “The Boxcar Children,” “Magic Tree House,” and “The Adventures of Mary-Kate and Ashley.” I also enjoyed “Judy Moody” and “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” as well. I think “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” was so interesting to me because I always like to create an image in my head to go with the words I am reading, but the author did that for me in a fun way.

And what are you currently reading in your free time? 

I’ve been reading the Colleen Hoover books. They’re very popular right now! I’m currently reading “All Your Perfects.”

So, how do you spend your time outside of the classroom? 

I have an Italian Greyhound, Bentley, who keeps me very busy. 

How old is he?

About a year and a half. He’s like a miniature greyhound. 

Do you have any funny stories about him?

Bentley loves to FaceTime people. When he hears their voice, he runs around looking for them until he figures out they are on the phone. And if it is ever my dad on FaceTime, Bentley always sticks his tongue out at him.

Any favorite TV shows?

I just finished “Stranger Things.” 

Yay! I really enjoyed “Stranger Things” because it was so relatable to me as I was a child of the '80s. I especially liked the series because I felt in the last few seasons, the show emphasized strong female lead characters. Who were your favorite characters, and why?

My favorite characters from “Stranger Things” are Eleven and Nancy. Their characters provide such powerful female roles throughout the show by highlighting independence, friendship, and love.

Do you have a favorite sport and sports team? 

Oh, baseball, the Dodgers! I have two younger brothers who have always played baseball, so that has been a sport I have come to love to watch. As for the Dodgers, in particular, I saw them play in D.C. when I was younger. I happened to be staying in the same hotel as the team, so I saw them off the field and thought it was the coolest thing. So, ever since, I have been a fan.

What’s your go-to restaurant in Raleigh?

I love to eat around the Village District… Village Deli!

That’s my eldest son’s favorite too! We love their crinkle-cut fries!

I always get a grilled chicken sandwich at Village Deli with fries, and I love their chipotle aioli sauce to go with it!

Chipotle aioli sauce? We’ll have to try that next time!

And lastly, what is the most important thing your students can bring to the classroom?

In my opinion, the most important thing students can bring is their personality! I believe if each student comes to the classroom willing to share the unique differences of their personalities, they will be open to so many opportunities within the classroom, such as being more willing to learn, collaborating with peers, and trying new things.