November Teacher of the Month | Video

Chris Williams | 10/31/2012

This month`s Teacher of th Month is Brenda Holm, who teaches family and consumer sciences at Williston High School. The class, formally known as home ec, teaches kids some of the basics of life.

The classroom today is different than it was 20 years ago, and Holm likes to keep up with the changes.

"We use or cell phones we use or iPods, whatever they have. I figure we need to use them as tools for productivity not just entertainment."

She uses computers for a learning tool called Edmodo, which is like a Facebook for learning. Holms also uses another unique method for getting her points across.

"I find music that goes with what we`re talking about. When we were doing the fruits and vegetables unit I played Vegetales and gave them a quiz over the different vegetables that were in the song," she said.

Holm`s teaching method might not be traditional, but it`s something her students respond too.

"The videos teach us how to cook, and what kind of cooking habits we should keep and safety and stuff. So I`ve learned a lot about how to cook. I`ve never known until I`ve had her," said 10th grader Jacob Kvernum.

The lessons go beyond cooking. They cover the basic of financial decisions, and nutrition.

"My favorite thing is I learn my basic skills I need, I`ll take this with me throughout my whole life," said 10th grader Billy Anderson.

Students love using technology in the classroom, but they also enjoy getting their hands dirty.

"She does lot of activites and she does labs, and they`re easy labs and they`re fun and they`re really good eating food," said 10th grader Jennifer Willard.

Holms enjoys using humor in the classroom, but getting her students to learn the lessons is no joke.

"It`s an awesome responsibility, it`s something I take very seriously. It`s very humbling to know that I`ve affected kids futures," added Holm.

Looking around the classroom, it`s easy to see how much students appreciate Holm.

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