In this week’s edition of Throwback Thursday you get to learn about Mrs. Brenner’s high school experience and why she became the amazing Spanish teacher she is today.

What school activities did you participate in?

In high school, I was in Health Occupation Students of America. It was my dream to do medical research and cure cancer. Through health science class I worked in the hospital. I was in Key Club, Future Business Leaders of America, and Spanish Club. I played the bass in my school orchestra for a few years too. I also had a job where I worked as a waitress. My junior and senior year I volunteered every day in an after school program through Mission Arlington.

How would you describe yourself when you were in high school?

When I was in high school, I took as many Pre-AP and AP classes as I could because I wanted a challenge.I liked to stay active with school organizations. School came easy to me, so I had a tendency to get bored in class. My junior and senior year I went through a very rebellious phase. I thought I knew everything, but you come to find out how much more there is to learn as you grow older.

What inspired you to become a Spanish teacher?

In high school I had no idea that I was supposed to be a Spanish teacher in life. Spanish always came very easy to me, but it wasn’t until I got to college that I knew for certain that I was supposed to be a Spanish teacher. I went to Baylor to major in biochemistry. My chemistry class in college was extremely difficult. I studied 5 hours a day for that class alone and for the first time in my life, was struggling to pass. I went to his office to talk with him, and he told me that the reason that I wasn’t passing is because I was stupid. I held my composure together, walked out of his office, and changed my major to my favorite subject,Spanish. I wasn’t going to spend the next 30 years of my life doing something I hate. I hope to help students realize their potential and know that they are not stupid, even if someone makes them feel that way.

What clique were you in in high school?

The AP classes in my high school had many Vietnamese students, so many of my best friends were Asian.

What were you interested in when you were in high school?

My favorite subject was biology. I loved dissecting things. In fact, I still have my lab book with diagrams of everything I dissected. After school all my friends and I would get on AOL instant messenger and chat with each other. Also, since I had a job, I loved to go to the mall and spend my paycheck.

What was your most embarrassing moment in high school?

My dad bought me a brand new car right as I turned 16. I thought he was the best dad in the world. My sophomore year, I wrecked my car about 4 times. I was definitely not ready to be behind the wheel of a brand new car.