August 15, 2024

Name: Jaden Brazil

Family: Ian (fiancee), Randy and Kaci (parents), Ashtin (sister)

School: Hughson Elementary

Position: Kindergarten teacher

Experience and education: I graduated from Stanislaus State with my bachelor’s degree in liberal studies and also completed my multiple subject teaching credential there. I previously worked as a special education paraprofessional and substitute teacher.

What attracted you to Hughson? I grew up in this community and attended Hughson schools from kindergarten through 12th grade. I have wonderful memories of my time as a student here and had amazing teachers along the way. These memories are the reason I wanted to return to Hughson schools and give back to the children in our town.

What most inspires you about what you do? What inspires me is seeing a student grasp a new skill, whether it’s a social interaction or academic concept. Seeing their excitement as they make progress and knowing that these early achievements lay the foundation for future success fills me with joy. It’s extremely rewarding to be a part of students’ academic and personal growth.

What is a challenge you look forward to tackling this year? A challenge I’m excited to tackle this year is finding creative and inclusive ways to engage my students in learning. I’m looking forward to guiding my students in learning the academic and social skills they need to be successful inside and outside of the classroom.

What is your favorite teaching tool or activity? My favorite teaching tools are student whiteboards and incorporating movement. I love whiteboards as they allow students to demonstrate their thinking and easily correct mistakes if needed. Infusing movement into my lessons turns learning into an interactive experience where students can physically engage with the material. This keeps them excited and involved while reinforcing their understanding in a hands-on way.

What do you want your students to remember? I want my students to remember the joy and excitement of learning in our classroom. More importantly, I hope they leave our classroom with a strong sense of their own potential and the confidence that they can achieve great things.

How can parents support what you do? Parents can support what we do by reading with their children at home and practicing basic kindergarten math skills. Using everyday objects for counting and sorting can reinforce what we’re learning in the classroom. They can also support what we do by encouraging attendance and celebrating their child’s progress!

What would surprise people about your job? What might surprise people is that kindergarten is about much more than learning basic academic skills. A big part of it is helping students figure out how to be at school, regulate their emotions and get along with others. It’s a mix of teaching them academics and supporting their social and emotional growth.

What do you do for fun? I enjoy art, shopping, planning my wedding, and spending time with family and friends.