Brandy Headlee

Background

About Brandy Headlee

The first question posed when anyone learns that I am a teacher is:"Oh? Well, what do you teach?" Although it may be perceived as snarky, my answer is always a heartfelt response."Kids. I teach kids." A good friend of mine happened to be behind me in a signing line during a famous young adult author's visit. The author, a genial individual to say the least, asked me this very question while signing my copy of the newest book (because let's be honest, why is a middle-aged white chick in line to meet a young adult author?). My response was what it always is."Kids. I teach kids." From behind me, a snort rang through the crowd."Did you just say you taught kids?" I turned to see my friend a few feet back."Duh. Yeah, I did." We had shared many committee assignments over the years, but recently, she moved out of the classroom. She was a new administrator on another campus in a neighboring district. When you hear an honest response that hits you right in the core belief system, you can't help but make a comment."Of course you did. Because that is the kind of teacher you are." I knew it was a compliment. I don't teach books. Or grammar. Or how to write a 5 paragraph essay. I teach kids. I teach kids how to think and question, how to make meaning of the crazy world we live in, and how to find love and empathy in the darkest corners. I teach kids who become adults before my very eyes. And they teach me. This reciprocal relationship is founded on the stories we share, and the stories we read and write because literature is not about highlighting this or that part; literature is about understanding the shared human experience. I teach kids who are embarking on that experience for the first time each day, and each day, we all learn a little bit about what it truly means to be human. Hard things in books can lead to a better understanding of ourselves and others. Controversy (big or small) can lead to respectful discourse and even reform. Long story short, we can't develop thinking, empathy, and grit in our students (you know-those people we actually teach) if we don't offer them experiences to chew, digest, and nourish the mind, body, and soul. Because I don't teach books. I teach kids. For the past 17 years, I've taught kids and adults. My classrooms have ranged from middle school to high school in the suburbs of Houston, Texas to the teachers of gifted and talented students in the largest town on the Western Slope of Colorado.