Profile

Mrs. Shirley Browder, dedicated member of First Baptist Church of Ripley St., passionate ,now retired, school teacher, exuberant Title 1 personnel.  Impacting the lives of others is a drive of its own. Being able to touch the hearts of many is a calling only someone truly special could have; Mrs. Shirley Browder has castigated the competition single handedly.

Mrs. Browder started her journey to success at the University of Selma, a community college, in Clark County, from there she matriculated to ASU for her Bachelors, and AUM for her Masters in Reading.  Her very first teaching job, where she admitted to being very nervous, was for Selma City Schools where she stayed for a total of 15 years. She had crossed multiple thresh holds, with her first class being 99% Caucasian to a class that is now less that 5%.  Soon after competing her 15^th year she transferred to Montgomery County Schools, where she remained until retirement. 

Being a teacher is not the easiest job in the world. Dealing with the rational behavior and cry for attentions is said to be the hardest part. Having love and passion, as Mrs. Browder says, is the equation of making the teaching experience a breeze.  Teaching is designed for people of love, compassion, and patience. Mrs. Browder’s advice to people who are interested in pursuing education is to “Love what you do, and have a desire to continue to learn.”

Touching lives for a living is magnificent, and having your life touched is even better. Mrs. Browder remembers quite a few of her students’ stories that really hit home.  One of her students was physically handicap; only having one arm never stopped him from reaching his goals. She said she would catch him sharpening pencils, using the old manual pencil sharpener, by himself. He was a prime example of life goes on.  Another student who she impacted in particular was an LD (Learning Disability) student. She provided him the extra help he needed. He is now doing exceptionally well. The best feeling in the world is witnessing your students’ light bulb. It’s almost a “Hey, I’ve got it!” During the spring after Standardized Tests, Mrs. Browder and her class would perform musicals for the administration and parents. Her most common musicals were the Wizard of Oz and Runaway Snowman.

As time pass the disposition of students change. Mrs. Browder said her earlier classes would come in and sit down. Today, teachers would have to calm those kids down, and then make them sit and settle down to start class.

After teaching Mrs. Browder became the Title 1 personnel for her school and later a reading coach, just to begin instructing once again. Working within the nucleus of the school, leadership roles are required. Mrs. Browder has helped organized multiple parent, teacher, and students meetings because it is believed that it takes an entire village to raise a child. Having friends, family, and teachers on your side is truly a royal flush.

The biggest issue within the teaching system, Mrs. Browder says, is the paperwork aside from planning. If unfamiliar with the system, there are multiple procedures that are required for certain aspects. When submitting money teachers now have to not only right the amount, but they have to fill out three different forms for the same materials. 

The NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND Act is another huge issue that is within this profession today. The No CHILD LEFT BEHIND Act is basically an act pin pointing the reading levels on society. It states that by 2014 each student should be reading on grade level. Mrs. Browder’s advice to improving students’ performances is to first correct the teachers’ actions and focus on the weak spots of the students.

Before technology was as innovative as it is now, there was a lot of writing. Now by the clacking of keys and the clicking of the mouse the work is done. There continues to be the traditional “write on the board” mentality. Multiple schools now have even upgraded to smart boards.

Mrs. Shirley Browder has impacted multiple lives. She especially touched mine. Just last week I wanted to be a lawyer. While interviewing Mrs. Browder I heard the calling to teach. I informed my family of my new findings, and changed my major to Early Childhood Education because I want to impact lives just Mrs. Browder has. Being a lawyer is somewhere down the line of my future ,but becoming a teacher comes first.