Bilingual Beginnings with Ms. Brannan

By AVA ALBICOCCO

The World Language Department became even more “worldly” this year by hiring Spanish teacher Ms. Brannan, a native Peruvian.

Ms. Brannan loves teaching Spanish because she can share her cultural background and identity. She appreciates the opportunity to allow her personal experiences to enhance students’ learning of the language. Ms. Brannan said, “Having the opportunity to teach a foreign language reaches that gap between two different cultures.”

Before teaching in Jericho, Ms. Brannan worked at a variety of other schools around Long Island. Ms. Brannan said, “Teaching in other school districts has helped me grow. I am able to learn the best ways of teaching and understand the ways my students will learn the best.”

Her previous teaching experiences have made her more open to the diffusion and integration of new ideas within her curriculum. She said, “My past has given me the opportunity to explore different learning styles for my students so I can use that when I am teaching.”

Her first impression of Jericho students was that they were both diligent and flexible, which are essential traits that constitute a positive learning environment. “My students came in on the first day with an open mind and ready to learn,” she said.

Ms. Brannan gives a lot of credit to her students for making the transition into this school year as easy as possible under the uneasy circumstances of the hybrid model. She tries her best to make every day memorable for her students, even though it may be hard learning from home. Freshman Jillian B. said, “I was nervous about Spanish this year and the transition into Spanish II, but Ms. Brannan has helped me so much already.”

One of her favorite things as a teacher is to watch her students progress over time, and she is hopeful to see her students’ growth throughout the year. Freshman Alexa C. said, “I love having Ms. Brannan as a teacher this year because I have already learned so much from her. I can’t wait to see what the rest of the year will bring for Spanish.”

When she’s not teaching, Ms. Brannan enjoys going to the beach and taking time to relax and unwind. She also enjoys taking trips to the spa and shopping to treat herself.