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Ron Brandt is the 5th-6th grade teacher at Kansasville Elementary School in Racine County. Teachers who work in a small school - Kansasville has 98 students - find they must wear many hats. |
Teacher in small school finds he must wear many hats
What do you see as the most important responsibility of a teacher? It is to see that every student is given the opportunity to learn in a safe environment. What makes a great school? A great school is a place where the staff members work together with the administration in a collaborative way that allows the students to achieve to the best of their abilities. Who is the person you most admire? Primary teachers, especially the four in my building. They are responsible for setting the ground work for what I teach and they do such a good job that it makes my job easier. Their job requires so much patience, as they teach and also deal with things such as tying shoes, bathroom problems and zipping up coats. What is your best childhood memory? I remember being in a spring concert, in 6th grade, where I performed a little dance to the song “If I Were a Rich Man.” It gave me the acting and singing bug. Right now, what are you reading? “Man in the Middle,” by John Amaechi. |
In a K-8 school with 98 students, a teacher must wear many hats.
For Ron Brandt, that means he is a 5th - and 6th-grade teacher. He is technology coordinator and keeper of the school Web site. He has been the volunteer assistant coach for all the sports teams. He is the coordinator for the science curriculum as well as WKCE testing. He's done summer maintenance and janitorial duties, as there is no on-staff custodian.
The closeness a small school, combined with a variety of assignments, keeps Brandt on his toes at Kansasville Grade School in Racine County. The family-like atmosphere has its benefits, as the five regular classroom teachers and a handful of traveling teachers work together with support staff and administration to make their school a great one.
“We know everyone well, and we know each other's strengths,” Brandt said. “We have to work together, cooperatively, because everyone is involved in all decision-making.”
Brandt, a teacher for 24 years and past recipient of the Southern Lakes United Educators' Energizer Award for his work as a local union leader, has a sound perspective on the role of public education. “What I do is important because I am helping to build the future and influence that future by hopefully making an impact in my students' lives,” he said.
“I believe each child can learn, with the help of the people involved in the child's life,” he continued.
But even a small school faces the realities of inadequate funding and complex social issues. “Revenue controls are making it harder and harder for schools to meet the students' needs,” Brandt said. “Along with that is the changing climate of how teachers are viewed and the constant attacks teachers are under from parents, pundits, government officials, and the media.”
Still, Brandt said he is devoted to his career as a teacher because he knows he is making a difference. “It's the best thing to have former students come back to say that they learned so much in my room, and that they enjoyed it,” he said.
WEAC’s Great Schools Member Spotlight features WEAC members who are making a difference in the lives of others every day in their schools and communities. Member Spotlight profiles appear on OnWEAC, and one profile is selected each month for the OnWEAC In Print newspaper. To submit a suggestion for a Member Spotlight candidate, send an e-mail to the WEAC Public Relations Department.
Posted October 30, 2007
