Randolph-Macon College alumna Heather Brazier ’12 is an award-winning teacher. Brazier was named Hanover County’s 2013 Beginning Teacher of the Year. The story was covered in the October 9, 2013 edition of the Mechanicsville Local.

Brazier recently began her second year as a teacher at South Anna Elementary School in Montpelier, Virginia. At RMC, she majored in psychology and minored in elementary education.

“Heather continues to support our future teachers through sharing her experiences and resources with current Yellow Jackets in Education,” says Brenda Davis, chair of the Education Department. “RMC education alumni are doing great things—in fact, Michael Mudd ’97is the principal at South Anna. These kinds of Yellow Jacket connections are exciting and inspiring, both for alumni and for our current students.”

“My RMC classes and professors prepared me for success in my classroom,” says Brazier. “Each education course gave me a well-rounded approach to the education system. Professor Leslie Roberson, in particular, helped pave the way to my career. She goes above and beyond for all of her students.” Brazier’s advice for current education students?

“Get as much experience in the classroom you can, take advantage of every opportunity given to you at RMC and especially within the education department, and ask as many questions as you can,” she says. “I owe the success I have in the classroom to the RMC professors who taught me all I know.”

“Ms. Brazier was selected the Beginning Teacher of the Year because of her dedication and commitment to her students,” says Mudd, who also teaches education courses at RMC. “She is a very energetic and engaging teacher who brings subjects to life for her students. It was not uncommon to walk into her classroom and see her dressed in a silly costume to help illustrate a concept. She is a fine example of a teacher who does a terrific job of providing effective instruction in the classroom while at the same time maintaining excellent relationships with students and parents. Her training at Randolph-Macon College prepared her well for this role.”

The RMC Education Department

Education Professor Leslie Roberson, director of Teacher Preparation and Educational Outreach, says RMC’s Education Department offers a unique, challenging curriculum and personal instruction.

“We are committed to applying theory to practice by providing our students with field experiences for each of our courses,” explains Roberson. “In addition, our strong partnership with Hanover County Public Schools allows our students to work with some of the state’s best educators during their fieldwork and student-teaching practicum. HCPS teachers and administrators are highly invested in working with our pre-service teachers. And our dedicated and caring faculty, along with an administration that acknowledges and supports our important work, are vital to the success of our program.”