This week's Weekly Staff Spotlight goes to ESL Teacher, Lisa Brasseaux.
1. What inspired you to pursue a career in education?
I wanted to be a teacher since as long as I can remember. I was one of those kids who always played school at home. I would even line my stuffed animals up on the bed to be my students. I loved school and was blessed with many amazing teachers who helped inspire me to be a teacher.
2. What’s your favorite part of working with students?
My favorite part of working with students is building relationships and providing fun, new learning experiences. To this day I still keep in touch with many of my students! It’s so cool to see them now as successful adults. Many are married, have kids, and some have even become teachers themselves. Yup, I’ve been doing this a long time and wouldn’t have it any other way.
3. If you weren’t in education, what do you think you’d be doing?
I can’t imagine what I would be doing if I wasn’t teaching, but it would definitely be something with people. I’ve also always wanted to write a children’s book, maybe I’ll pursue that once I retire.
4. Do you have any professional goals you’re working on this year?
Professionally this year, I met my goal of presenting at a professional learning conference! MVES’s ESL Team and I were given the opportunity to present at AMTESOL! We presented the Coffee Trolley and have set a new goal to present again at next year’s conference. Public speaking in front of adults isn’t always my thing so this was a huge accomplishment for me.
5. What’s one thing you love most about our school community?
The thing I love most about our school community is that we are a FAMILY! Since the doors opened in 2000, Meadow View has always been a special place. We are a loving, caring, group of people that celebrate the good times and are there to support each other in the bad! I have been blessed to have been at MVES my entire career and can honestly say it’s the absolute BEST because of our leaders, faculty, staff, and families, past and present!
6. Is there a particular moment in the school year you look forward to each year?
I would have to say I honestly look forward to the beginning, middle and end of the year! I know it sounds a bit cliche, but it’s the truth. I love meeting a new group of students to work with at the beginning of the year and starting new relationships. Then the middle of the year brings the excitement of major holidays like Christmas and it’s so fun to see the magic through the eyes of our elementary students. Finally, the end of the year is so rewarding because we get to see all the growth and progress each student has made.
7. Do you have any hobbies or hidden talents?
I think I’m still searching for my hidden talent, but I’m very good at napping! Lol! As for hobbies, I love spending time with my family, going to antique stores, watching movies and playing word games.
8. What’s something people would be surprised to learn about you?
Most people would be surprised to know that I used to be a bit of a daredevil in my younger days. Unless you’ve known me for a very long time, people don’t realize I owned and rode a motorcycle. Some of my first students are my witnesses because I would ride to school and let them watch from the playground as I rode around the school on my Kawasaki Ninja 600R. I also used to bartend at my friend’s motorcycle campground and my most daring adventure to date was when I went skydiving in Sedona, AZ.
9. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
If I could travel anywhere in the world I would go to Ireland. My family is Irish and I would love to learn more about my Irish heritage. Also, the pictures of Ireland’s green rolling hills, and elaborate castles look absolutely breathtaking!
10. What’s a food you can never say no to?
A food I can never say no to is a hard question for me because I’m a foodie and like A LOT of different things, but I can never say no to Mexican Food!