 Brenda has been employed at Bohemia Manor High for over twenty years. She began her career as a school secretary at the school, and became a teacher of business education there seventeen years ago. Brenda has her Bachelor of Science and Masters in Management from Wilmington College. She is also active in the Air Force Reserves as a Lieutenant Colonel and commander of the 46th Aerial Port Squadron at Dover Air Force Base.
How has the way you teach changed over the years? What lessons have you learned?
I have incorporated my life experiences, both in the Air Force Reserve and from my years in the private sector, into my lessons to add relevance and a connection to the real world. I have found that connecting a concept with a personal experience or an example gleaned from current events or acquaintances adds validation to the lesson. On occasion, students even come back to class with experiences gathered from their family and friends to further expand the concepts of the lesson.
What advice would you give to a teacher who's starting their first year and feels overwhelmed?
I would advise a first-year teacher to ask for a mentor if one was not provided. A mentor can be a sounding board for concerns and a source of information for professional growth. I would also encourage the new teacher to form a support system with other first year teachers in the building. Sometimes, just sharing daily experiences and having a dialogue with others can reduce stress.
What do you think the key has been to your success as a teacher?
I think the key to my success is my desire to help students, both in and out of the classroom. In the classroom, I teach academics; in my extracurricular activities, I model hard work and commitment. My students know that I am dedicated to their learning and their activities.
How do you involve the community in your classroom?
I take my students to visit area businesses and ask local business owners to come to my classroom to share their business stories. In addition, I ask parents to serve as judges for business competitions and to be guest speakers for various units in the curriculum.
I involve the community in my classroom by encouraging students to volunteer. As the Service Learning Building Coordinator, I get requests from community organizations for volunteers. I try to match student interests to community needs so that both parties benefit from the experience. As the advisor for Future Business Leaders of America, I involve my students in a minimum of two service projects per year to expose them to the needs of the community.
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