Meet Linda Smith, New Brookfield Central German Teacher

About 30 new teachers, plus new administrators and other staff, are joining the Elmbrook School District this year, and Brookfield Patch is introducing some to the community as the 2012-13 school year gets underway.

You can read their stories here.

Today, we feature new German teacher Linda Smith.

Teaching assignment: I’m at Brookfield Central and I’ll be teaching German 1 and 3 first semester and German 2 and 4 second semester.

Hometown, current community: I was born in Watertown and grew up there. I now live in Milwaukee. I’ve also lived in Germany, North Carolina and Texas.

Education, experience: I attended Carroll University when it was still Carroll College. I received my BA with a major in German and minors in French and Business Administration. Five years ago, I had the opportunity to attend Marquette University as a graduate student. I worked as a substitute teacher and tutor while I attended Marquette’s Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Certification Program. I completed the certification program in January 2011. I am currently enrolled at Marquette in the last course required to complete my M.Ed.

Why did you choose Elmbrook? I am excited to be a part of the Elmbrook School District. It has a reputation of excellence and a commitment to improve upon its successes. That’s an exciting opportunity for a new teacher.

Hobbies: I love to travel and I have had the opportunity to visit many places both in the US and abroad. I enjoy working in my garden although this year it has been a challenge to remain excited about gardening. I am practicing survival gardening! I also like to ride my bike for exercise and fun.

Favorite vacation: Germany, of course! Ever since my first German class as a high school freshman, I knew I wanted to live and study in Germany. I did that by spending my junior year of college in Bonn, Germany. During my semester break, I used a Eurail Pass and travelled to many countries in Europe. Visiting East Berlin and seeing the Berlin Wall is an experience I will never forget. I was lucky enough to return to Berlin recently and see the tremendous changes that have taken place.