Meet Casey Bramble, a dedicated math teacher who has been teaching for three years. She spent her first year at Fairfield High School and the past two years at Lakota West High School. While students know her from the classroom, there’s much more to her beyond teaching.
Who Is She Outside the Classroom?
When asked how she would describe herself outside of being a teacher, Casey Bramble explained that she sees herself as dependable, confident, and independent. She shared that she is always there for her friends and family, while still maintaining balance in her life. She also values how she presents herself and how others perceive her. Her faith plays a major role in shaping who she is, as she tries to live each day with forgiveness and a positive mindset.
“Being a Christian means a lot to me.”
It influences how she approaches life. While some may see her as more reserved, she added that people close to her would describe her as “one of the funniest people to be around,” emphasizing that the person students see at school is the same person outside of it.
Misunderstandings About Teaching
Casey also talked about what people often misunderstand about teaching. She also talked about how many forget teachers are human too, saying,
“We make mistakes, we have feelings.”
Ms. Bramble emphasized that teachers are not trying to work against students, but are instead doing their best to support them. She noted that support can look different for each student and believes that people should give teachers more understanding, adding that teachers deserve
“ a little more grace”
The Impact She Hopes to Leave
When discussing the impact she hopes to have, Casey made it clear that her goal is to leave a positive influence on her students. She wants them to understand that school does not define who they are.
“That doesn’t determine their success in life.”
Referring to grades and reminding students that sometimes they simply need more time to understand a concept. Above all, she encourages students to “ give themselves grace” and be patient with their own growth.
What Makes Teaching Worth It
Despite the challenges, Casey shared that her students are what make teaching enjoyable. She described how she is constantly laughing. Because of the things students say throughout the day. She specifically mentioned her second-period class, where students like Melea Tshowa and Kelsie Wanger bring humor into the classroom. Even in moments when she feels she shouldn’t laugh, she admitted that their jokes make it hard not to.
The Takeaway
Casey Bramble is more than just a math teacher; she is someone who values connection, growth, and understanding. Beyond the classroom, she continues to impact her students not only academically but personally, encouraging them to be confident, give themselves grace, and see their potential.
