Staff Spotlight: Sarah Chapman-Wiser, Coolidge

By Brayden Cook '26

Every week throughout the 2025-26 school year, Granite City Community School District #9 will be highlighting a staff member for going above and beyond to give students a positive experience.

This week’s staff highlight is Sarah Chapman-Wiser.

Chapman-Wiser is an English Teacher at Coolidge Junior High School and has been working in the Granite City School District for 30 years.

Where did you go to school?
I attended Edwardsville High School and graduated in 1989. I have a Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s degree from SIUE.

What do you enjoy most about teaching 8th grade English?
Words are important, listening to them, reading them, writing them, speaking them. I want my students to understand that words are everything. So, teaching my students the love of reading and writing has been my joy for the last 30 years.

What is your favorite memory while teaching?
I have always been known as the ‘crazy’ teacher, and I take that as a compliment. Why be boring and the same as everyone else?

At the beginning of my career, I had a spark of an idea. To give students a confidence boost, I would use a ‘wooja wand’. I have used Smartie candies or stickers and I would take my wand and dance around the room and then place the want on candy/stickers. Then I would tell the kids that if they’re stuck on a question for a quiz to eat the candy. I loved looking at the students eat the candy and their eyes lit up with information.

I have a pink ostrich-feather pen, Mr. Pinkie, who has been my class mascot for years. One time, a student took him for ransom. He wrote a ransom note with letters cut out of magazines. What did he want? Twinkies for the class, and of course, I obliged.

What inspired you to be a teacher?
From a young age, I knew I wanted to help people so nursing or teaching was foremost in my mind. When I was in high school, I realized all the science and math I’d have to learn to be a nurse and that was a hard no. A few teachers have inspired me to be the teacher I am today: Mrs. Lybarger, Mrs. Pulliam, Mr. Swalley, and Senora Thompson.

What are your hobbies?
Reading mystery and historical novels, baking cookies/cakes, and singing/acting in musical theater!

Favorite food?
Chocolate, steak, and twice-baked potatoes are my favorite foods, but the list is endless.

Who do you look up to and why?
My parents have always been inspiration to me, and they have made me realize I can do whatever that I want in life and be independent. John Wiser, my husband, is someone who has seen me in my good and bad times and still loves me for me. He is supportive and makes me laugh every day, and I appreciate him immensely.

If you would like to nominate a deserving staff member, please email: information@gcsd9.net