2nd Grade--Mrs. Bilby
by Ashley L
October 03, 2007
Second Grade Teacher Mrs. Deanne Bilby
By Ashley L
Q: How many years have you been teaching?
A: I've been teaching for 21 years total. I started out just out of college at Redington, NE, when they still had their school. I taught grades 1-5. It was the most positive teaching experience any first year teacher could have. I took a seven year break and worked for the Department of Agriculture before teaching at Bridgeport.
Q: How many years have you been teaching at Bridgeport?
A: I've been in the Bridgeport system for 20 years. I started in the first grade and have taught Kindergarten, but now I currently teach in 2nd grade and I think that's my favorite.
Q: What college did you attend?
A: I started at Chadron State College and then transferred and graduated from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln.
Q: What's your favorite kind of ice cream?
A: Moose Tracks
Q: What's your favorite color?
A: Purple
Q: What is your favorite thing about teaching the second grade?
A: Second grade students are eager to learn. There is a tremendous amount of independence that develops during these nine months of school. Watching their reading levels improve is probably the most rewarding part of my job.
Q: What are some of your hobbies?
A: I love to bake. I tell my friends that I want to be a pastry chef when I grow up! Cheesecake is my current favorite. I guess my other hobby is following my kids around and watching them compete at rodeos all over the state of Nebraska and the Central Rocky Mountain Region. All three of our children as well as our son-in-law compete. Justin rides bulls, Jessica is a barrel racer, Jared team ropes and Jessica's husband, Lane, competes in the bareback riding, steer wrestling and team roping.
Q: Do you have any pets?
A: We have dogs, cats and of course, horses. Our most unusual pet is a very large longhorn steer that we call Two Spots.
Q: Do you have any fun facts about yourself?
A: I spend my summers serving as the rodeo secretary for Bridgeport, Alliance, Kimball, and Mitchell's rodeos. I have also operated Nebraska Entry Line with a friend from Scottsbluff for the last 13 years. We take all the rodeo entries for the NSRA, set the contestants up and mail the books to local rodeos. It keeps me busy June through August.
Q: Is there anything else you would like to add?
A: My husband, John and I have three children. Justin lives in Bridgeport. Jessica is a senior at Chadron State College. Jared is a sophomore at Eastern Wyoming College. I was born and raised in Bridgeport, and I graduated from Bridgeport High School. I am very proud of our school system and this community.
