Brooke Smeckert is a new English 11 teacher this year. You may recognize her if you are a senior as she taught her a couple of years ago.

How long have you been teaching?

I started in 2007, and I have been teaching since then except for 2 years when I stayed home with my kids.

Where did you go to high school and college?

I graduated from Hastings and I went to college at St. Marys in South Bend. 

Have you found something more difficult than you expected transitioning to GHAPS? 

Not that I can think of, everything runs pretty smoothly on the staff side but the e-hallpass was new, and Mrs. Williams helped me with that. 

Have you felt accepted at GHAPS?

Oh yeah, 100%.

Did you always wanna be a teacher? 

Yeah, I always wanted to be a teacher even when I was little. 

What makes your classroom unique? 

I often tell my students that community is really important to me, and over the year we have conversations that feel more like a family. 

If you could change one thing about your curriculum, what would it be and why?

I don’t know that I would change anything cause we have a lot of choice in the English department. 

What does your planning hour typically look like?

I generally make copies and check my email. If I have any simple grades to put in I’ll do that and sometimes do some reading ahead.

What’s your pet peeve in the classroom? 

In general, I hate when people interrupt. That drives me crazy. 

What are your favorite and least favorite trends?

I’m not that trendy but I really hate the trends that destroy property. 

What are you doing when you are out of school?

I love to read and go geocaching with my kids. 

Favorite Artist? 

I love Sarah Bareilles and Boygenius.