Notable Nebraskans Wendy Brennan

Wendy Brennan
German Teacher, Millard North High School
Past President, American Association of Teachers of German (Nebraska)
wmbrennan@mpsomaha.org

What was your motivation to become a language teacher?
I always wanted to be a teacher, and I loved learning German, so it seemed like a logical fit for me. Since becoming a German teacher, I’ve learned so much from my colleagues and peers through professional organizations. The relationships I’ve built through NILA and AATG are so motivating and inspiring; I will never be done learning!
Describe your classroom approach in five words or less.
“There’s method to my madness!”
How do you feel Nebraska is raising the standards for world language education?
As someone who attends regional and national conferences, and as someone who has been closely involved with the NILA conference in several different roles over the years, I can say with some authority that the sessions we offer through NILA are consistently top-notch. Nebraska’s best world language education resources are its teachers, and the networks we build through face-to-face collaboration at workshops and conferences enable us bring the very best practice to our classrooms.
What would you recommend to educators to build their pedagogy and practice?
Our profession is tough. Teachers need each other for support and fresh ideas. Go to the conference, attend the workshop, email the presenter who inspired you – build those networks! If you seek out both formal and informal learning opportunities and try to apply what you learn to your instruction, you will grow as an educator, and your students will benefit from your lifelong-learner mentality.