Today’s Student Spotlight is from Catherine Brenneman, a senior at Tift County High School. In addition to her studies, Catherine, 18, competes in the Special Olympics, volunteers at children’s homes in Brunswick, Ga. and Jacksonville, Fla., and teaches in Backyard Bible Club along with a Special Friends class at Northside Baptist Church’s Vacation Bible School. Her previous teachers describe her as a student who has overcome obstacles while staying positive.
Tell us about your experience in Georgia’s public schools. What aspects of your education have you enjoyed most? What has been most challenging?
I have enjoyed being with my friends and learning new things. I have had great teachers that have worked with me to help me do my best. They have been creative, flexible and have helped me to learn the material I need to graduate and go to college. The biggest challenge has been technology. I cannot write and have Dragon to use as my voice recognition software to help me speak my work, but it does not work most of the time. Another challenge has been standardized test-taking, particularly math. It is very difficult to tell someone each step to write down in math when your brain has already worked the problem and found the answer. I appreciate the extra time I am given to complete the tests, but it is still difficult to speak the answers and wait for someone to write them down. I don’t feel that these tests give an indication of what I have learned from the course. It has kept me from the honor roll many times as I would have an “A” in the course work and make a failing grade on the end-of-course test.
Which class or subject has been your favorite? Why?
I have enjoyed my computer classes the most. I can do the work just like everyone else in the class and I can use what I learn to further my education and it might possibly be a career choice.
What do you hope to do after graduating high school – and how has your education prepared you for that next step?
I am applying to Warm Springs Rehabilitation Center to learn skills to prepare me to go to college independently. Then I would like to go to Valdosta State University to further my education in counseling.
What advice would you give to other students?
Don’t ever give up. Trust God each day to help you. Study hard. Do all your homework and turn it in on time. Have a positive attitude. Be a good friend to others.
Tell us about your experience in Georgia’s public schools. What aspects of your education have you enjoyed most? What has been most challenging?
I have enjoyed being with my friends and learning new things. I have had great teachers that have worked with me to help me do my best. They have been creative, flexible and have helped me to learn the material I need to graduate and go to college. The biggest challenge has been technology. I cannot write and have Dragon to use as my voice recognition software to help me speak my work, but it does not work most of the time. Another challenge has been standardized test-taking, particularly math. It is very difficult to tell someone each step to write down in math when your brain has already worked the problem and found the answer. I appreciate the extra time I am given to complete the tests, but it is still difficult to speak the answers and wait for someone to write them down. I don’t feel that these tests give an indication of what I have learned from the course. It has kept me from the honor roll many times as I would have an “A” in the course work and make a failing grade on the end-of-course test.
Which class or subject has been your favorite? Why?
I have enjoyed my computer classes the most. I can do the work just like everyone else in the class and I can use what I learn to further my education and it might possibly be a career choice.
What do you hope to do after graduating high school – and how has your education prepared you for that next step?
I am applying to Warm Springs Rehabilitation Center to learn skills to prepare me to go to college independently. Then I would like to go to Valdosta State University to further my education in counseling.
What advice would you give to other students?
Don’t ever give up. Trust God each day to help you. Study hard. Do all your homework and turn it in on time. Have a positive attitude. Be a good friend to others.