For our first Staff Spotlight of the new school year, we are highlighting someone who is new to D38, but definitely not new teaching. Her journey in education crossed the Pacific Ocean, but now she's back in her home state of Colorado. This month's Staff Spotlight features Brandi Brewster, First Grade Teacher at Lewis-Palmer Elementary School!
What drew you to work in D38, and what has been your journey in education?
I was born and raised in Colorado Springs. My husband and I moved to teach in the Marshall Islands in 2000 and then to Malaysia in 2007. We ended up working and living in Malaysia for 18 years! Our three daughters all graduated from the school we taught at and have now moved back to the United States. It seemed a good time for us to come back as well and set up a "home base." We found a lovely 1960s home in Palmer Lake in January of this year and have spent the last seven months renovating. We hope it will be our forever home and have quickly fallen back in love with Colorado and the Tri-Lakes area in particular. This smaller community has been so welcoming, and I cannot wait to dive in and get involved.
I have 22 years under my belt as an elementary educator. I have had the privilege of teaching first grade, preschool and second grade over the course of my career. First grade is where my heart really is though, so I am thrilled to be back in that position.
You teach very young children. What are some unique challenges that come with being a first grade teacher, and how do you approach and deal with those challenges?
First graders have a lot of words and ideas, and they all want to share, all the time! I want my students to know that those thoughts are highly valued in my classroom. Finding the time to hear them all can be tricky, but sharing in small groups, with the group at large or through writing, are a major part of our school day. First graders are so authentic and often surprising, so learning to pivot and roll with the punches at a moment's notice is advantageous.
What is your favorite part of the school day?
I can honestly say that I love going through the learning journey in every single subject, every day with students, but my favorite part of the day is when I pull out our read-aloud chapter book. I suddenly have everyone’s complete and utter attention, and you could hear a pin drop in the classroom. They are enraptured. You can look at each sweet face and see such joy! Thoughtful connections are happening in their brains, and guess what—no technology is involved —very few pictures are involved. It is all happening in the creative classroom of their imagination.
A lot of people remember their earliest teachers. How would you hope your students remember their time in your classroom?
I had quite a few good teachers growing up. What I remember most is that their classrooms were safe and happy places where we had fun with our learning. I hope that students remember that they were safe, seen, valued, known and loved in my classroom.
You are the first Staff Spotlight of the new school year. How would you describe the vibe or atmosphere around LPES as the new school new year starts?
We are busy bees at LPES. You cannot miss the buzz of excitement every time you walk the halls. The persistent vibe is hopefulness and expectation in what our students can achieve academically, physically, socially, and emotionally this year. My classroom theme for the year is "Victory," and hopefully as we write our story as a classroom, and as Lewis-Palmer Elementary, it will be chalk-full of victories, both big and small.
Is there anything you would like to say to, or a message you would like to share with the rest of your team or school?
As a teacher new to this district and this school, I want to give a huge shout out to the administrative team, support staff, and mentors who have so happily come alongside me. I get asked every day by someone different how things are going and if there is any way they can help. I am thankful to feel seen and known, and already feel like my voice matters—at both the school and the district level. Thank you to all of those investors out there who believe in me and will consistently hold me to a high standard. I hope I can make you all proud.