By Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor
Brooke Eisenbach was born a teacher. As a child, she asked her teachers for extra worksheets that she would pass out to her dolls at home, which she organized into a school-like setting.
Eisenbach even turned the temperature in the house down, because it was always cold in school.
Through her childhood play, Eisenbach certainly showed passion for education, and now, others are taking notice. Eisenbach is a finalist for the Florida Council for Teachers of English’s Teacher of the Year Award. Friend and former colleague Taylor Sampson nominated the Tomlin Middle School language arts teacher.
“I love the middle-school age,” Eisenbach says. “It takes a certain person to … teach this age. I like the chance I get to nurture someone in reading and writing.”
Eisenbach has an impressive list of credentials. She is working on her doctoral degree at the University of South Florida in curriculum and instruction, with a focus on English education while simultaneously teaching five class periods at Tomlin. She is also co-teaching a collegiate teaching course at the University of South Florida.
In addition to teaching, Eisenbach writes for education journals on her unique teaching experiences and speaks at professional conferences.
But its her approach to students that makes her stand out.
Eisenbach’s classroom proves hers is not a class in which students only learn tedious grammar rules and analyze dense classic novels. A shelf full of colorful young adult books borders one wall. Decorated paper bags are stapled to foam boards, creating “pockets” for student notes. They are called “Someone Noticed Notes,” where students can write kind messages to each other on Friday and have something positive to read about themselves on Monday morning.
“I want to brighten what could have been a cloudy day for a student,” Eisenbach says. “I want someone to know others care.”
Eisenbach continues community building with her book club, which meets on Fridays. For more than seven years, her book club has gone to Bryan Elementary to read to students. This year, her students will be tutoring second-grade readers who need help.
“They really enjoy it,” Eisenbach says. “It helps my students not only through the community aspect, but (also) reading out loud helps their skills.”
Eisenbach has even managed to get famous authors such as Katherine Erskine, David Lubar and Alan Sitomer to Skype with her class. The students get a chance to ask about the writing process. One student has been inspired to write her own novel from one of the Skype sessions.
In addition to the language arts, Eisenbach teaches an elective course she designed called Young Adult Literature, in which students analyze authors, writing styles, research titles and authors and discuss books.
“It allows the opportunity to really enjoy the literature,” Eisenbach says.
Once a student at Tomlin, Eisenbach can identify with both the students and the teachers, but she always puts her students first.
“My focus is care and respect in the classroom,” Eisenbach says. “Students need to know they’re cared about. Whether that’s providing an empathetic ear or setting expectations and holding them to it. That’s what I hope I’m doing here.”
Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com.
FAST FACTS
Years teaching: Nine
Classes: Language arts and young adult literature
Hometown: Plant City
Husband: Scott Eisenbach
Children: Olivia, 19 months
Favorite book: Anything in the young adult genre
Blog: eisenbach.edublogs.org