Carolyn Braley

Gold Star Award Winner Carolyn Braley

School
Waterloo West High School 

City/School System
Waterloo Community Schools

Subjects and Grade Level
High School Social Studies Teacher
Education
Masters Degree in curriculum & instruction with multicultural education emphasis. Undergraduate degree in secondary education social studies.

Years teaching
6 years

Hobbies
Reading, exercising, relaxing on the deck of our lake house watching the sun glistening on the water

Family members
Husband Bruce. Children Lisa, David, Paul

Professional involvement
Member ISEA

What do you like most about teaching?
Interacting with young people and stretching their minds in new ways

What do you find most challenging about teaching?
The number of new initiatives our district is trying to do all at the same time.

Best tip for new teachers?
The first two years can be exhausting and you will be overworked….but it does get a little better.

Best tip for career teachers?
The general public has no idea how demanding a teaching career really is. We work a lot of overtime to meet all the requirements expected of us. We need to support each other!

Favorite piece of advice for students?
“It’s due tomorrow” means it is due tomorrow.

What does being a Gold Star Teacher mean to you?
It is an honor to be invited into this elite club of educators. Thank you.