Robertson Kitchen & Bath Teacher of the Month: Tierney Bratten, Marlington Local

The Alliance Review
·2 min read
Tierney Bratten, who teaches life skills classes at Marlington Middle School, is a Canton Repository Walsh University Teacher of the Month for June. She was photographed at the school on Wednesday, May 31, 2023.
Tierney Bratten, who teaches life skills classes at Marlington Middle School, is a Canton Repository Walsh University Teacher of the Month for June. She was photographed at the school on Wednesday, May 31, 2023.

NAME – Tierney Bratten

SCHOOL – Marlington Middle School

RESIDENCE – Alliance

HIGH SCHOOL ALMA MATER – Marlington Local Schools

COLLEGE – University of Mount Union (undergraduate, business marketing and education); Capella University (graduate, technology integration); American College of Education (graduate, educational administration).

FAMILY – 17-year-old son Bo.

WHAT SUBJECTS DO YOU TEACH? – I teach Life Skills (a co-academic course) to grades six to eight.

WHAT IS THE BEST PART OF YOUR JOB? – I get to have every student in the building each year. I love to watch how each student grows and changes throughout the three years that I have them. I get to make connections with every student that goes through Marlington Middle School.

WHAT IS THE MOST CHALLENGING PART OF YOUR JOB? – The most challenging part of my job would be fitting in my curriculum I need to teach within a semester timeline. I have the students every other day for one semester so getting all of my curriculum complete can be a challenge.

WHAT SECRET TO SUCCESS WOULD YOU SHARE WITH STUDENTS? – My secret to success would be to never give up. Despite what happens to you in life, you must choose to keep going and make the best of what you have.

IS TEACHING KIDS THE SAME TODAY AS WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED? – Teaching has changed quite a bit in my 26 years of teaching. I would have to say technology has changed quite a bit. When I first started teaching, I taught the students on desktop computers. We then went to laptops and now iPads. We are 1:1 with technology and students are so much more adept with technology than they were 26 years ago.

YOUR STUDENTS WOULD BE SURPRISED TO KNOW THAT YOU … – … don’t like Chipotle.

WHAT IS YOUR HIDDEN TALENT? – I don’t know that this is a hidden talent, but I enjoy volunteering in the community. I volunteer for the Marlington Alumni Association, Alliance Community Pantry and the Carnation Festival Queen pageant.

IF YOU WEREN’T A TEACHER, YOU’D BE … – … an entrepreneur and open an online clothing boutique.

AFTER A LONG DAY AT WORK, WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO RELAX? – I love to go to my son’s sporting events. My son plays football and basketball for Marlington.

Tierney Bratten, who teaches life skills classes at Marlington Middle School, is a Canton Repository Walsh University Teacher of the Month for June. She was photographed at the school on Wednesday, May 31, 2023.
Tierney Bratten, who teaches life skills classes at Marlington Middle School, is a Canton Repository Walsh University Teacher of the Month for June. She was photographed at the school on Wednesday, May 31, 2023.
Tierney Bratten, who teaches life skills classes at Marlington Middle School, is a Canton Repository Walsh University Teacher of the Month for June. She was photographed at the school on Wednesday, May 31, 2023.
Tierney Bratten, who teaches life skills classes at Marlington Middle School, is a Canton Repository Walsh University Teacher of the Month for June. She was photographed at the school on Wednesday, May 31, 2023.

This article originally appeared on The Alliance Review: Robertson Kitchen & Bath Teacher of the Month: Tierney Bratten, Marlington Local