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Bridget Browning
As a former teacher I had the opportunity to work with many fine educators. One of those was Bridget Browning a 2021 recipient of the Golden Apple Award that is given to the best educators of the year by the Northern Kentucky Education Council and the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce. Mrs. Browning’s classroom was always interesting and her lessons well prepared and it was a good experience being able to collaborate with her and see her polished skills.
As I sat down to interview Mrs. Browning the first obvious question was “What event or person inspired you to become an educator?”
“I really loved science and wanted to help other people. So when I went to college, I majored pre-med to satisfy those desires. During my junior year I became a tutor to athletes at the campus tutoring center. I fell in love with the job and quickly switched my major to education. As a teacher I still get to feed my love of science and help students every day.
For myself early on as a student I found my real love for science in Mrs. Ziegler’s classroom. She had a way to help her students really understand.the content in a fun and engaging way.
She also had a way to make a connection with students that made you feel special. We stayed in contact all throughout college and when I graduated, she helped me get a job at Pendleton County High School. She served as my department head and friend, and I would constantly talk to her about how to become a better teacher. She shared so many strategies with me throughout the years as well as she pushed me to become a leader in the building. She encouraged me to do things like run for Site Base Decision Making Council and gave me the confidence I needed to go back to graduate school. I can honestly say that I would not be the teacher I am today without her influence.”
Mrs. Terri Zeiglar Strong was quick to praise her former student and colleague, “Bridget Browning is the type of educator I would want teaching my child. She exemplifies going above and beyond. Not only is she always improving herself as an educator, she makes kids feel like they belong. Her students love her. Bridget has always been one to work behind the scenes and not get the recognition she deserves. I’m so proud of her and the job she continues to do.
As we talked the question arose of did she feel prepared to walk into the classroom that first day or was reality a jolt to her nervous system.
“I don’t know if any teacher is feels fully prepared as they lead a classroom for the first time. However, I think the University of Kentucky prepared me as much as any institution could. I was fully immersed into the Fayette County School system during my final year of college and that type of on the job training is irreplacable. I had some of the best teachers throughout my training and they gave me the skills and practice necessary to prepare me for those first few years in the classroom.”
It’s obvious Mrs. Browning is now comfortable in the classroom and has deep command of her subject matter so I wondered what changes she had seen in her experience in the classroom with regards to students and the overall approach of education.
“Since I began teaching there has been a push to make kids College and/or career ready. We have really focused on helping kids reach their goals after high school. Students seem to be more future focused now than ever before and need teachers there to assist them in reaching theses goals.
Our kids today are dealing with a lot of different issues that weren’t around fifteen years ago. The issues going on in their lives outside of school that follow them to school makes it harder for them to focus. Perhaps I am just more informed now about these issues, but it seems as if kids must overcome more obstacles daily that could make learning extremily difficult. Any good teacher will tell you that you must build relationships with kids to be effective. They will not buy into what you are doing in the classroom until they know you care about them. Only once those nuturing relationships are established can they really begin to learn the content.
As far as the education field itself just since the beginning of the pandemic technology has played an unprecedented role in education. I imagine that using technology in such a vital role is here to stay. Teachers will need to include technology and develop lessons in a way that all students can be successful.”
Mrs. Browning, herself is a product of the Pendleton County School system attending Southern Elementary and graduating from PCHS in 1999 so I was curious on what it was like coming up through the system and then becoming a link in the educational chain for future Pendleton County youth.
“When I was a student I was always involved in numerous clubs, organizations, and athletic teams. I developed a real love for my school and our community. That love and passion has continued for me when I returned as a teacher. It was a little odd becoming colleagues with some of my former teachers and I could never call them by their first names. I hope that I can help foster that love for school and community in my students as well. I want my children to be prepared for life just like I was through Pendleton County schools. I do feel like they have a lot more opportunities now than when I was in school.”
Mr. Dietrich principal of PCHS gives a glowing account of Mrs. Brownings role as an educator and a person, “There is nothing that can be said that truly captures the excellence Mrs. Browning exhibits. As a proud alumnus she gives back to her community, which includes National Honor’s Society sponsor, Gear Up committee member, Safe at Schools planning committee, Site Base Council, Department Head, and Recreation Committee and Coach. She does all this and still has a contagious positive disposition. She simply exudes excellence.”
Mrs. Browning, even with all that she is involved in, is still a student herself today and contiues her self growth professionally as she follows a path to become a better teacher and maybe move on one day beyond the classroom.
“I’m currently in Grad School at NKU pursuing a second Master’s in School Counseling. I hope to have this completed in May and move to Rank 1 of certification. Eventually I would like to work as a school counselor preferably in Pendleton County schools.”
No matter if Mrs. Browning decides to stay in the classroom or move higher she will aways be golden in the eyes of her students.