Mrs. Brenner's Web Page

Educational Background/Working Background

As a mid-life crisis teacher, I am, relative to my age, a new teacher.  I hold an undergraduate degree from Northern Illinois University in Business Administration with a major in marketing in 1979.  I worked in the non-for-profit sector with that degree for the American Cancer Society first as a field representative in the North Shore area of Chicago and then as a Special Events Coordinator for the entire city.  I was married at the time, and I loved the work. 

When children appeared, seven years later, my oldest son was diagnosed with asthma and a resulting learning disability. I opted to stay home with him and my second child for the next eleven years. It was a wonderful experience. 

Despite my oldest son’s struggles with learning in school, I found myself drawn to reading everything available about learning styles, learning disabilities and teaching to be the best mother possible.  David, made slow, but steady, progress in academics, and learned through auditory and kinesthetic learning modes, rather than through visual means. He was a determined, little boy who felt alienated from many of his classmates due to his academic challenges.

As he (and I) discovered how he learned, I found myself intrigued with teaching. At the ripe old age of forty, and with the prompting of my younger son and husband, I enrolled in the accelerated Masters program at Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. I graduated with honors with a Masters in Secondary English Education, in 2001.

I initially began teaching Middle School English in Coral Springs, Florida and then joined with my husband in Texas when he accepted a position at Teen Mania Ministries in Garden Valley, Texas.  I accepted a position as the English Department Chairman in a little high school in Troup, Texas while simultaneously working as an instructor at the local junior college.  I received an opportunity to expand Tyler Junior College’s campus through a Dual Enrollment program at the Teen Mania campus where my husband was ministering and created a wonderful liaison with the community college as Teen Mania’s Curriculum Director. Those three years, firmly cemented my perspective that every student can learn with the Lord’s direction and a multi-sensory approach to teaching.

My Position at MICS:

In 2004, we moved back to Florida for another career opportunity for my husband, and I accepted a position with Merritt Island Christian School as their English Department Chairman, and as a Six Traits School Coordinator/Mentor. Teaching at MICS has been a profound blessing in my life, and I am excited about the prospects for the future here. I have rarely seen students so inquisitive and open to learning. The team-oriented approach by the administration and staff is one that few schools possess, and I know God’s hand is here. I recently reduced my full-time teaching to part-time due to some health issues concerning my eyes; and after a lovely rest and some relaxation time, I am back full-time this year!  I so missed seeing my students!

Interests:

I love football. I must confess it started out as a mere, passing fancy to placate my husband’s obsession. However, I have surpassed his passion for the sport and am a bit of a fanatic for the Miami Dolphins and Chicago Bears.  I also enjoy biking, working out, reading, journaling, and decorating.

Faith and Learning Statement:

I believe that I can accomplish nothing without Christ. I accepted Him as my Savior in September of l975 and have been blessed beyond measure in His calling to teach. He guides me daily, and I give Him the glory for everything. 

I also believe that teaching is a gift from God, and I am responsible for the atmosphere I create in the classroom.  I believe teachers have the ability to foster an environment conducive to honest communication and learning if there is mutual respect and kindness given in the classroom. I believe that teachers hold much power in establishing a positive or negative self-image of each student, and due to my experiences with my learning-disabled son, David, I am acutely aware of the power of the pen.  Teachers can inspire or condemn; they can build or destroy: they can encourage students to open their hearts to Christ, or they can scar the image of Christ by their actions…I want to demonstrate Christ and His unlimited gifting to students in every class I teach.