Welcome!


Thank you for visiting WendyByard.com - The Official Site For Teacher, Author, & Speaker Wendy (Stevens) Byard.
Teach and Reach for Classroom Miracles
You can purchase a signed copy of Teach and Reach for Classroom Miracles! Lessons on Teaching With Love through this website (use Paypal's "Buy Now" button below) or at amazon.com (and other book sellers).










See video about Wendy's educational views

Welcome to my website!
Whether you are family, friends, educators (aren't we all teachers of some sort?), leaders, or anyone who wants to create a better world, a more loving world, I appreciate you stopping by!

I am a Mott College English professor, former North Branch, MI, high school English and history teacher, former advertising executive, ordained Presbyterian deacon, mother of three daughters, Big Sister, and Michigan State University and Lake Fenton, MI, High School graduate. I also am the author of a new book: Teach and Reach for Classroom Miracles! Lessons on Teaching With Love.

Last year, I fulfilled a dream: to publish my book aimed at inspiring educators and leaders to approach their calling with love. And my message is already reaching people! In fact, I have been invited to speak at various events, sharing my belief with not only educators but people in all walks of life that a firm commitment to love, and the expression of those qualities -- humility, kindness, generosity, compassion -- just to name a few, can create miracles! Einstein said, "There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle." For me, I truly believe that teaching, leading, and living with love can spark miracles in people's lives!

However, when I tell people my book is about the need to love students, I sometimes get quizzical looks. People say, "What do you mean, love students? Is that possible, Wendy? And is it really necessary?" To which I say: "Yes and yes!" Let me share these comments from past students. They speak strongly to the power of love.

Wendy:

You truly are a gift from God. You have touched my life in so many ways you wouldn't believe, and I really love the way you taught in your classroom. I remember receiving notes from you and being so happy someone was encouraging me and taking note of what I was doing. You helped me through a very difficult time, and there is no way I will ever forget you. I'm so happy to have you in my life and to have had you as a teacher as well!!  Thank you for all you have done.

Brittany


Dear Wendy,
I have you to thank for my confidence. Without your support I would not even have attempted this wonderful second career . . . There is no possible way I can repay you for your kindness and encouragement. Please know that you will always be in my thoughts and realize how much of an impact you make on many lives through your teaching.

Love, Kim

Wendy,
I have enjoyed all my classes with you immensely! You're a wonderful teacher and an even more incredible person. Coming into your class I was worried upon finding out you were a Christian. I was afraid you were going to be cruel and judge me. Thank you so much for making those fears disappear. You are a real example of a Christian. You were kind and loving and didn't judge me! Thank you so much; that meant more than I can ever explain. You have given me courage to be proud of who I am! I'm so thankful that I was blessed with the opportunity to have you teach me. Your incredible teaching style will continue to touch lives . . . You're an incredible person!

Pretty neat!

So, I invite you to stay a while, look around, and learn about me, my ideas, and my new book Teach And Reach For Classroom Miracles! Lessons On Teaching With Love. 

 
 Want to Learn a Bit More?
When I first began teaching at Mott College in Flint and Lapeer, Michigan, and before that, North Branch High School, I, like many instructors, thought all my students needed was a good lesson plan and an educated, caring, and well-meaning instructor. I mean, really, isn't that all that's expected of us?

However, on my journey as a teacher, wife, mother, and Christian, I began to realize that what every student truly seeks from a teacher is love! Love is much more than just caring; it is first an awareness that we can be and do more. We can take our live's work to a higher level. This understanding is then followed by a commitment to love every student, every day, in a variety of ways. In other words, we make love and relationship-building a priority. But then we must endeavor to express all the qualities of love. This takes hard work and quite often, inventiveness. That's why I provide "12 Love Lessons for Teachers" in my book. They are concrete strategies, approaches, and perspectives for teachers to actively express their love. I believe we have to work at love -- commit and plan for it.

Perhaps we get so caught up in a myriad of cultural priorities and expectations we forget that treating others with love will have the most profound and lasting impact of all that we do in this life. Author and teacher John W. Schlatter said, "What I build with love and truth will last forever."

Though we may not all share the same religious beliefs, I do hope teachers come to believe that classroom love is possible and the most important goal of teaching. 

So, what are the results of classroom love? Students who find acceptance, confidence, belief, passion, self love, and love for others -- truly miraculous results! I hope my book inspires and challenges every kind of educator to start loving their students today! Reach for miracles!


What People Are Saying
It will inspire any teacher, coach, trainer, mentor, instructor, and motivator to tackle their job in a different way. A 'way' that demonstrates God's love to all students. A 'way' that makes students feels appreciated, cared for, and yes, LOVED! Can you imagine teaching your students in a loving environment instead of an adversarial, authoritative, contentious, or condescending environment? Wendy explains that a teacher's love for her students is what matters most.
-- Annette Siminski, Director of Children's Ministries, United Methodist Church, Clarkston, MI

It's clearly a great book for educators or anyone in the position of motivating or needing motivation. It's for people who want to have a positive influence on humanity, one human being at a time.
--Byron Konschuh, Lapeer County Prosecutor, Michigan "Prosecutor of the Year", host of "Crime Scene"

This is a must read!! Even if you are not a teacher, it has wonderful applications to use as a parent! Everyone who has a child or works with children needs to read this book!!
-- Elizabeth Arella Kangas, South Redford School Board Member and Director of Global Youth Citizens

This book will compel teachers to question how they teach and inspire them to approach their calling from a higher level.
-- Shirley A. Harris, PsyD, School Psychologist


 
People to Thank
I'd like to thank those who have been wonderful to me on this publishing journey. Special thanks to Dirk Wierenga of FaithWalk Publishing and CSS Publishing for taking a chance on a new author; Tim Runk for creating this beautiful website; Lisa and Al Wilson for shooting the outstanding website photography; and the FaithWalk Publishing and CSS Publishing staff for helping me in so many ways. I couldn't be more appreciative.

I'd also like to express gratitude to those who endorsed my book: Todd Smith, Pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Lapeer, MI, Greg Kelley, Executive Director of World Mission, and Shirley Carlson, psychologist for Lapeer Schools. In addition, I'm also so grateful to my many family members and friends who supported me at my book signings and purchased my book and the various people who have invited me to speak at their events. I am truly blessed!

Finally, I would like to thank my family: my husband Keith, my daughters Haley, Kacie, and Kellee, and my parents Mark and Cheryl Stevens. Thanks and love to you all!

So, please stay awhile. Look around the website. You'll notice an excerpt from my book (read by me), student comments, book reviews, biography information, and upcoming events. If you decide you'd like to order the book, click To Purchase. Also, if you have any ideas or thoughts you'd like to share, email me at teachandreach@wendybyard.com.

Thanks again for stopping by.

God bless!

Wendy Byard