*Brooklyn High School English Teacher*
By: Grace Paul
October 2, 2026
Chosen for this week’s Staff Spotlight is Ms. Schwendeman, a first-year English Teacher at Brooklyn High School. Ms. Schwendeman previously taught at Northwood Middle School in Elyria as a seventh grade teacher. An interesting fact about her is that she likes to go for hikes.
Q. What made you want to become a teacher?
A. “I became a teacher because I love reading and want to help my students discover the same joy in it. I also love working with kids and watching them learn, grow, and experience those exciting ‘Aha!’ moments. Being able to help students build confidence and develop a love for learning is what makes teaching so rewarding to me.”
Q. What is your favorite part about your job? What’s the most challenging?
A. “My favorite part of my job is reading stories with my students and watching their reactions to how those stories end. I especially enjoy doing novel studies and watching my students fall in love with books they would have never picked up off the shelf. The most challenging part is definitely making sure that I am meeting the needs of all my students and finding the right way to teach them.”
Q. What do you hope your students remember most about being in your classroom after they graduate?
A. “I hope my students remember my classroom as a place where they felt cared for, supported, and confident in who they are. I want them to remember how they grew as readers and learners, the confidence they built, and the fun we had through our novel studies. Most of all, I hope they remember that they were valued and believed in.”
Q. What is your morning routine before the first bell rings?
A. “Before the first bell, I enjoy starting my morning with a cup of coffee, checking my emails, and listening to my audiobook. It’s my little bit of quiet time before the day gets busy.”
Q. What is your favorite activity to do outside of school?
A. “My favorite activities outside of school are spending time with my daughter, binge watching my comfort shows, reading, and hiking.”
Q. What current student trend/slang completely confuses you?
A. “The current student trend/slang that confuses me is when the kids tell each other to ‘touch grass.’ I just don’t get it, haha.”
Q. What’s the best piece of advice anyone ever gave you?
A. “The best piece of advice that anyone ever gave me is to not take life too seriously; it’s all about balance. Work hard, take those moments to relax, and live in the moment. Don’t stay stuck in the past or worrying about what’s happening in the future; be present.”
Q. What’s your favorite animal?
A. “My favorite animal has always been a tiger; they’re just so enamoring and graceful.”
Thank you for your responses, Ms. Schwendeman. I wish you all the best in your first full year in the ELA department here at Brooklyn High School.
