4th Grade Teacher & Author: Brittany Plumeri

Today for Teacher Talk, I have the amazing Brittany, also known as Author in Mouse Ears via Instagram. I loved Brittany’s Instagram and the fact that not only is she a teacher but an author of FIVE children’s books! She is amazing and I can’t wait for you to read her journey of teaching and ultimately writing books for kids:

1. What did you want to be when you were growing up?

As cliche as it sounds, I have always wanted to be a teacher. I use to admire my teachers. How smart, caring and resilient they were. I too wanted to give that feeling of complete trust to my future students.

2. Is there a moment that sticks out to you that you remember from school with a teacher you had growing up?

Ha. Mr. Ruiz my geometry teacher in high school, he truly threw me one too many bones. Geometry was hands down my least favorite subject out of any I’ve taken. It was hard for me, I remember his patience, understanding and determination in helping me get through that year. He is a true definition of a model teacher.

3. How long have you been teaching, what country/state do you teach in, what do you teach, and what did it take for you to get there?

This year is my ninth year in teaching. I teach 4th grade in New Jersey. In order to get my certification here I had to get a bachelors in Elementary Education. In order to get this certification you need to do student teaching where your placed into a classroom and you need to act as if you were an assistant teacher Coming up with lessons, grading, etc. once your hours are completed you have to take the state test, The Praxis. Once passed you get your provisional license. Once you teach for a year you get your actual certification. It’s work, but it’s worth it.

4. What is your go-to tool you use in the classroom and why?

My go to tool is a writing journal. For many reasons, students HATE writing because usually they are given a topic they are forced to write about. With their writing journal they are given the option of what to write about and in it not only do you get to watch them become more confident and excited to write but learn things about them you wouldn’t of known otherwise.

5. Every teacher has something they are passionate about changing in education, what do you hope to change as a teacher?

What I’m most passionate about in my classroom is practicing the understanding of empathy. In no way do I force friendships. I simply state that it’s best to think about if you’d like someone to act or say something to you that they are about to do to someone else. If the answer is no it’s best to take a breath and figure out how you want to communicate how your feeling that would be in a way you’d like someone to say to you. It was actually my inspiration behind my first book The Merzzlings.

6. You are an author of some awesome books! What advice do you have for teachers who want to create a children's book?

If you’re a teacher who wants to become an author. GO FOR IT. While there are millions of books, each one has a different tone, lesson, and heart behind it. Chase the dream, it’s an incredible feeling holding what you created the first time. It’s even more exhilarating seeing pictures of other families enjoying the characters you brought to life. If you need help in the process, I’m also a consultant with At Home Author. Don’t hesitate to reach out!

7. Any advice for a new teacher you wish you had known for their first year?

My best piece of advice for new teachers. Still bring the fun, in a era of schedules, deadlines and testing- use that Friday afternoon to bring out a craft or a stem project not only will they appreciate the break, it’ll be nice for you to knock down some walls and truly bond with your students.

8. What has been the most challenging aspect of being a teacher?

For myself the most challenging part of being a teacher is that last day goodbye. You spend 180 days with your students, getting to know each-other, watching them grow. It seems like you finally have everything set into place, the perfect routine, the inside jokes, the expectations. But then it hits, the last day. The final goodbye. It’s bittersweet. You want to see how far they go and who they become, knowing you gave it your all. But then you realize it may be the last time you see many of them and you just have to hope they went as far as you knew they could.

9. A lot of people have been saying they hope things start to change in education since the Pandemic, what is one thing about the school system you hope changes?

The one change I hope to be made in education is increase the use of technology. My favorite at the moment is google classroom. It is great for students who miss a day since everything is right there organized and dated.

10. Last but not least, where do you see yourself in ten years?

I was asked this once in high school and I find it just as hard to answer now as I did then. In ten years I hope to be making my own two babies and husband proud. I see myself still teaching but as for my author career, I hope to have really made a difference through my words. I will keep releasing yearly children’s books expressing love and empathy. I have chapter books I’m working on as we speak, so by then I hope I actually finish writing and finally released them.

A huge thanks to Brittany for a inspirational teacher talk that I hope inspired you all to follow your side hustle dreams and write that book!

Happy Teaching :)