Bridget Wright

My first job was unpaid, involved very long hours, and came with loving but strict bosses: my parents. I grew up on a 69-acre farm with livestock and crops. Both of my parents worked full-time jobs while also managing the farm, and my dad was a dedicated volunteer firefighter and paramedic. My sisters and I had more daily chores than most of our friends.

That experience taught me many valuable lessons, but the biggest was time management. Our chores had to be completed before our parents returned home, so we learned quickly to prioritize our responsibilities and work efficiently –– or in some cases, feverishly!

I loved caring for our animals! We had cows, sheep, pigs, goats, chickens, turkeys, and a llama! The cows were my favorite because they were sweet and curious. The turkeys, however, were my least favorite because they are mean. Our bus driver often had to drop us off at the opposite side of the house because the turkeys would be waiting to chase us when we got home from school!

Not at all. I was always very shy and hated speaking in front of groups, so I never imagined education would become my career path. One day, I was at the grocery store when I received a message from Michele Carr, the college’s chair of dental hygiene at that time. She asked if I’d consider applying for a staff position in the dental hygiene division.

I was surprised she thought of me but after giving it some thought, I realized I had valuable clinical experiences that could benefit students, so I applied. Although I wasn’t selected for that first position, it sparked my interest in education. When another opportunity came up, I applied and was hired! Shortly after joining the college, I began pursuing my master's degree with the goal of eventually transitioning into a faculty role. 

One of the most rewarding aspects is helping patients who have struggled to find dental care elsewhere. I’ve lost count of the number of patients who have said things like, "I feel like I'm too complicated for my dentist to handle," or "No one is willing to treat me because of my medical history."

I'm grateful that we can provide these patients with a dental home staffed by providers who understand their unique needs and work closely with The James to ensure continuity of care. Equally important is the opportunity to teach our students through these experiences and help prepare the next generation of dental professionals to confidently care for the medically complex patients they will certainly encounter throughout their careers. 

I think we’re lucky in dental hygiene education to have a smaller cohort size, which allows us to build meaningful relationships with students and provide individualized support.

In the clinic, students seem to appreciate direct observation and real-time feedback. Whenever possible, I move from one operatory to another to provide guidance and support throughout the clinic session.

In the classroom, I regularly ask for student feedback on new activities and implement their suggestions when it makes sense. I believe students learn best when they’re engaged in the process, and I hope they know I genuinely care about their success and their experience in our program. 

Yes! Our middle son, Blake, passed away at just 34 days old in the spring of 2019. For what would have been his second birthday, we started an annual tradition to honor him –– the 34 Days of Kindness4Blake. Each year, beginning on his birthday, we commit to doing at least one kind act every day for 34 days.
Some of the kind acts are small, like holding the door open for the person behind you, sending a grateful email, or calling your oldest relative. Others are more involved, like providing dinner for first responders, gathering 50 friends to pack meals for Lifeline’s hunger relief program, or hosting a softball event for 22 teams!

Initially, the 34 Days of Kindness were a way to process our grief while also helping Payton remember Blake. This tradition has helped us immensely, and it has grown into something far beyond our family and small circle - encouraging other people to choose kindness, spread kindness, and keep it going long after our 34 days are over! 

My family and I live on a wooded five-acre property named PBJ Farm after our kids: Payton, Blake, and Jameson. We currently have 23 chickens and one surprise rooster. They provide about 9-12 eggs each day!

We also have a huge garden with several varieties of sweet and spicy peppers, zucchini, cucumber, carrots, onions, garlic, tomatoes, green beans, and herbs. In addition, we grow strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries, and we have apple and peach trees, although the squirrels enjoy most of our harvest before we do!

We enjoy canning cowboy candy, hot sauce, and jams! My favorite part, though, is seeing our kids help in the garden and the kitchen! 

Visiting every Major League Baseball (MLB) stadium is at the top of our list! There are currently 30 MLB stadiums, and this year we checked off #11 with a visit to LoanDepot Park, home of the Miami Marlins. It has been a fun way to travel around the U.S.!