Brenda is a Special Education Teacher in the ESA for Whitson Elementary in the White Salmon Valley School District.

 

 

How long have you worked for ESD 112 and what does your job entail?

I have worked for 10 years as a Special Education teacher for grades K – 3

What do you like best about your job?

Getting to know each child I work with.

What do you find most challenging about your job?

Time to complete paperwork.

What do you consider to be your greatest on-the-job skill or asset?

Establishing rapport with students.

Single? Married? Kids? Pets?

My husband and I have been married for 37 years.  We have three daughters and will be grandparents for the first time in March.  We own a small farm with a vineyard.  We have two dogs—Hobbs, a Bassett hound and a yellow Lab named Jed.  We also have one cat and three miniature donkeys-Daphne, Duncan, and Darby.

What do you enjoy doing with your free time?

Gardening and shopping at antique stores.

If your coworkers wanted to surprise you with a little treat sometime what should it be? 

A flower.

What is something that no one would guess about you if they just met you?

My age—I look about 20 years older than I am.

Would you rather live in the city or the woods? Why?

The woods, because being out in nature rejuvenates me.

What’s your favorite holiday and why? 

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday because there’s lots of good food and time for long walks and quiet family time.

If you could abolish one piece of modern technology, what would it be and why? 

Video games/playstations.  I’d like to see my students spending more time playing outside and developing their imaginations. 

When you have 30 minutes of free-time, how do you pass the time?

Reading in the winter, gardening in the summer.

What is the most interesting place you’ve ever lived?

Philippine Islands.  Wild horses ran freely through the village streets and occasionally wild boars.

What future events are you looking forward to? 

I’ll be a grandma for the first time in March.