About The Author
Dr. Deanna Gilmore
I have spent my entire life surrounded by stories, classrooms, and the people who shape our schools. My journey began in the tiny farming town of Plaza, Washington, where I grew up in a close-knit community that taught me the values of hard work, resilience, and compassion. Those early years sparked my love for education, but I never imagined just how far teaching would take me.
One of the most defining chapters of my life began when my husband, Rick, and I moved to Alaska to teach in remote Inupiat and Yupik villages. We lived and worked in communities that welcomed us with warmth, strength, and generosity. Those eight years taught me more than any textbook ever could. I learned the value of honoring other cultures, the importance of listening, and the beauty of traditions passed down through generations. That experience reshaped me as both a teacher and a human being.
When we returned to the lower forty-eight, I continued my work in diverse learning environments by teaching Native American students at the Paschal Sherman Indian School in Omak, Washington. Every classroom, every child, and every culture added another layer of understanding to my life’s work.
At the age of fifty-nine, I made a decision that surprised even me: I went back to school. I enrolled at Washington State University and earned my Ph.D. in Literacy. It was one of the most challenging and fulfilling accomplishments of my life. My doctoral journey led me to teach courses at WSU, present at conferences across the United States and in Japan, and later accept a position at the University of Idaho. There, I served as a lecturer and affiliate assistant professor for preservice teachers in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction.
My years at the University of Idaho were filled with incredible moments and meaningful connections. In 2010, the Gamma Phi Beta sorority honored me as Outstanding Professor of the Year, and I later received the University of Idaho Alumni Award for Excellence for my contributions to the academic development of my students. These recognitions are deeply meaningful to me because they came from the very students whose futures I hoped to impact.
Today, I am retired, though I don’t think a teacher ever truly stops teaching. I stay in touch with many of my former students through Facebook and Instagram, celebrating their milestones and cheering them on from afar. My husband believes I spend far too much time on my phone, but truthfully, staying connected to my students brings me joy.
Writing There’s a Pig on the Playground allowed me to bring together the stories, lessons, and memories that shaped my life. My hope is that my journey inspires readers to appreciate the educators who guided them, the communities that raised them, and the stories that continue to shape who we are.
If you’re here, thank you for taking the time to learn about my life. I’m grateful to share this journey with you.
