Zachary High Teacher of the Week: Brittany Perrie

Age: 24 Birthdate: Sept. 18

Hometown: San Mateo, Calif.

Currently resides in: Zachary

High School attended: Aragon High School in San Mateo

Years in education: 2

Years at ZHS: 2

Subjects taught: English III, Honors and AP

Clubs/Sports/Organizations: Flag team sponsor

Education: Obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature at LSU after transferring from Notre Dame and a Master of Arts in Teaching in Secondary Education from LSU.

How did you make your way to Zachary from California and by way of Notre Dame?

I initially went to Notre Dame right out of high school because I wanted to go to a Catholic school for college. I went to Catholic schools through 10th grade and graduated from a public school, but I missed the faith environment...plus, Notre Dame paid for me to visit and stay in their dorms. I knew the moment I stepped onto the campus and saw the Golden Dome that I belonged there.

After my grandmother died, (my grandparents live in Louisiana), I transferred to LSU, I wanted to be closer to them. When I graduated from LSU, I decided to stay in Lousiana to work since I was familiar with the school systems here and there weren't any openings in the districts near where I grew up in California.

Needless to say, my mother was devastated!

What was it that led you to a career in education?

“I wanted a career where I could help people and interact with children. There is nothing better spending time with kids and talking about books.”

Why become a teacher? Did someone or something influence you early on?

“My interest in teaching came from volunteering in my little brother’s Kindergarten class when I was in high school. I was amazed at the impact teachers have on children.”

What do you enjoy most about your job?

“I’d say my favorite part of my job is helping students achieve things they didn’t think were possible...from writing excellent essays to getting into college.”

Is there a life lesson you try to teach to your students...something besides the subject matter at hand?

“I emphasize being responsible for your own actions and that you get out of life what you put into it. I tell my students all the time: as an adult, you have to solve your own problems and make the best of less than stellar situations occasionally.”

Name something your students would be surprised to know about you.

That I am a black belt in Tae Kwon Do.

If you could do anything else as a profession, what would it be and why?

In a dream world, I'd be a sniper for the military, but my vision is too bad for that. More realistically, I would like to own a used book store or be a pediatrician.

Do you have any hobbies?

“Yes, I love to read and scrapbook. I’m also addicted to Angry Birds and Madden for PS3.”

Teacher’s favorites...

Book - Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley

Movie - Star Wars and Empire Strikes Back

Restaurant - Texas Roadhouse