Michelle Brennan, Grade 4 Teacher (General Studies)
Bio: I grew up in the Ditmas Park section of Brooklyn and currently live in Bath Beach, Brooklyn. I am a career-changer. I graduated from Brooklyn College with a B.S. in Business, Management & Finance and worked in finance for 15 years, most recently as a V.P. in sales for OppenheimerFunds. I then returned to school and earned my Masters degree in Elementary Education from Brooklyn College. I have been the fourth grade general studies teacher at Mazel Day School since April 2016 and the 5th grade Math teacher since September 2016.
I became a teacher because… I love teaching because children are a delight to be around. It’s priceless to see the pure joy in a child's face when they learn something new or accomplish something for the first time. I love being able to contribute to and witness this joy every day. I believe each and every student has great potential and it is my pleasure, as their teacher, to challenge and encourage them to bring out their best every day. For this, there is great personal reward.
My vision for our children is… for them to continue to be amazing, curious and kind; to continue to grow in G‑d’s love so that they may achieve their dreams and become the confident leaders of the future.
I joined Mazel because… I noticed something unique when I interviewed at Mazel Day School. Everyone I encountered throughout the school was smiling. I knew immediately that this was the place for me. I wanted to be at a place where people are happy. In the short time that I have taught at Mazel Day School, I have experienced a very unique culture that I love being a part of. It is a very caring, kind and supportive environment. I like learning from and collaborating with the talented staff and administration. I love the small class size which enables me to build relationships with my students and their families.
My favorite memory from being a student is… Anyone who knows me, knows that I am super competitive and that my favorite subject is math. Therefore, it shouldn’t surprise anyone to hear my favorite memory combines both. I loved the Math Bees in elementary school where we would first compete in our class and then the top two students in each class would go on to compete against other grades in the school. I loved when I won and was devastated when I lost.
The most difficult part of teaching 4th grade is...
Fourth grade is often a student’s first encounter with standardized tests. While they are important and I encourage them to do their best and assure them they are well prepared, it is often a stressful time for them.
My best advice to parents is…. Encourage your children to ask for help when they need it and advocate for themselves.
If I could teach my students only one thing, it would be… Sorry…I have to plug math! I would be thrilled if all my students learned their multiplication tables!
If I would not have become a teacher I would have become…
I’ve already had my dream job in finance. I loved traveling around the country as a Sales Manager for OppenheimerFunds. I was able to meet so many interesting people and visit most of the United States and beyond. When I decided I needed a change, I thought about what I always wanted to be when I was younger. For years I wanted to be a teacher. I finally realized that dream and never looked back. Not many people can say they have always loved their work, but I am one of the lucky ones who can once again say it in a whole new field! I really love going to work and teaching my students every day.
A trick I use in the classroom is… I don’t really have any tricks but there are things that I think are exceptionally important in how I interact with my students every day. I am honest and open with the children. I show them that I am not perfect and that there are many things I struggle with also. They all know that I don’t draw very well, but they also know I continue to try to do my best and I don’t ever give up. They understand I expect the same from them.
Outside of school I like to... I like to spend time with family, friends and my little dog, Teddy. I also love to play the tin whistle and to travel.