Brandons Animated Classroom

With seven years of experience as a Camp Counselor and Leader, I bring a strong foundation in youth development and leadership. I completed my student teaching in both 5th and 8th grade classrooms, gaining valuable insight into upper elementary and middle school instruction. Over the past four years, I’ve taught full-time in both 5th and 6th grade classrooms, where I’ve developed engaging, standards-aligned resources that support student growth and classroom success.

I have a collaborative teacher influence with a referent authority base. I have a collaborative teacher influence because especially for the middle level, I want my students to begin to feel a sense of independence, while still being guided in the right direction. It is all about balance for me in the classroom. I do not want to seem to be an authority figure that they have to obey, and I do not want them to have completely free reign. By having a collaborative teacher influence, I am better preparing them for the real world because in our world collaboration will never end. I have a referent authority base because I want my students to like me as a person, I want to build positive relationships with them, and I want them to respect me while also knowing they can come to me. I understand that I cannot be “their friend”, but I can be someone they rely on. My authority base is slightly inspired by my time as a camp counselor. Through my time there, I grew to know my campers and they grew to know me. It is important to me that walls are broken down, and they understand how I work while also being able to understand how they work. My learning environment will be a safe place where students feel as though they can participate at any time. I do not want my students to be afraid to participate or add to the conversation in any way that they see fit. Also, it has become apparent to me, in my student teaching, the growing mental health crisis among students. Most importantly, I want students to feel safe and heard because if they are uncomfortable or stressed, they cannot work to the best of their abilities.

Submitted for a nomination for the Outstanding Student Teacher Award at Penn State in 2022.

Graduated from Central Bucks East in 2018. Then attended Penn State to graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in Middle Level Education (4-8) with a concentration in English, a minor in English, a minor in Special Education, and a minor in Theater in 2022. Currently studying for a master's degree in Instructional Design and Technology at Bloomsburg University.

I am currently in a 6th grade classroom!