Brittany Titus, a 2015 Bethany graduate, is an 8th grade ELA teacher in San Marcos, Texas.
WHAT YOU DO • • • I teach 8th grade English Language Arts in Texas. The past 2 years I taught high school English in Waldorf, Maryland. I love teaching my kids to dream big and reach for their goals. I prepare them for life after school, and show them the importance of having reading and writing skills outside of the classroom.
WHAT INSPIRES YOU • • • The moment a student’s light bulb goes off – when they have an “Aha!” moment – makes teaching worth it. My students inspire me to be a better teacher. I grow from them as I hope they grow and learn from me. My job is so much more than giving kids an education. We all learn from each other, and that is my inspiration. I teach for the kids. They are my inspiration.
HOW YOU WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE • • • In my experience, a lot of students have rough home lives or personal struggles, so to be there as a role model is huge. I want to make a difference in their lives and show them that they can be or do whatever they want as long as they work hard for it and believe that they are capable of anything. Every child has the ability to learn and grow. I would love to eventually teach at the college level. I loved my professors at Bethany. They inspired me to continue my education, and I look to them as the professor I want to be.
HOW BETHANY HAS PREPARED YOU • • • I love the English department at Bethany. Dr. Lars and Angie Johnson and Dr. Hanna really prepared me in my Language Arts background, helping me now teach my students. Through the text analysis, discussions, and novels we studied, it has shaped who I am as a teacher.
WHAT YOU REMEMBER MOST ABOUT BETHANY • • • The people. Everyone is so friendly and welcoming. It was hard at first moving to a new state to attend college, but the whole community is so inviting. Bethany is my second home. I still miss going to school at Bethany and taking class with my favorite professors (including Chaplain Moldstad!) Where else can I get an amazing education where I’m surrounded by people in the Lutheran faith, attend Bethany plays, and sing in the Women’s Choir for Christmas at Bethany? Those are my favorite memories.
ADVICE FOR CURRENT STUDENTS • • • Be involved! There is so much to do on campus, whether it be a club/organization, sport, or event, being involved allows you to make friends and make the best memories and have a blast at college. College is definitely more challenging, but you need to have some “me time” and get out and explore. Mankato is a wonderful community to be a part of.