Meet Brandi Blose, Lincoln 5th Grade Teacher

Name: Brandi Blose

Where do you live? Emmaus

Tell us about your personal education.

• Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education - Kutztown University (1999)
• Master's Degree in Teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) - Penn State/University of Turabo, P.R. (2006)
• Currently pursuing a Master's Degree in Elementary Reading and Literacy - Walden University

What is your occupation? 

• Fifth-grade teacher at Lincoln Elementary School
• East Penn Elementary Language Arts Chairperson

How many years have you been teaching? 

"This will be my 14th!"

Tell us what you find most enjoyable about your job.

"Teaching my students so that they can achieve things that they didn't know they were capable of, and watching the pride on their faces when they succeed."

What is the most challenging? 

"Teaching everything required in a way that motivates students within the time constraints created by standardized testing." 

What do you do to prepare for the new school year?

"Many people think teachers have the summers off, when in actuality many of us spend summers taking graduate classes, attending professional development classes, reading professional books, and collaborating with colleagues to plan curriculum and lessons for the upcoming year. Teaching is much like science in that we want to learn the latest techniques and information to most effectively teach our students."

Do you have any advice for kids coming to school with first-day jitters?

"Often, your teachers are just as nervous as you are on the first day. It's a fresh start for everyone!"

On your first day of school, do you have a routine you follow each year?

"In addition to going over the expectations and schedule, we play the "Mrs. Blose Quiz Show" so that the students get to know me, a true/false game where students who have known each other for years learn something they didn't know about their classmates, a team-building activity to foster a supportive classroom, and a scavenger hunt for the students to become familiar with the classroom supplies and resources."

What do you most look forward to as a new school year begins?

"Getting to know my students. Fifth-graders are so much fun! I also look forward to trying new things in my classroom based upon what I have learned from previous experiences and through summer professional development."

You live in the town in which you teach. Do you find that to be difficult or rewarding? 

"In addition to being an Emmaus resident and Lincoln teacher, I'm also a Lincoln mom. I have a huge interest in making Lincoln an amazing place for my students and my own children. The families at Lincoln are very understanding about viewing me as ‘Mrs. Blose’ in certain situations and ‘Mom’ in others. I truly enjoy being able to interact with students and their families around town and especially enjoy bumping into former students!"

What do you like to do in your spare time? 

"I love to play volleyball, read and travel. My family loves to go camping in our pop-up!"

Do you have a favorite quote you like to live by? 

"While we try to teach children all about life, children teach us what life is all about."