To Faulkner Education graduate, Taryn Brodie, her classroom is her mission field. Her students are called Brodie’s Best because it’s her goal to instill in them positive character traits in addition to teaching them educational standards.
“At Faulkner, it was more of the experiences I had which molded me into the teacher that I am. There, I discovered true character, perseverance, and a love for learning that carried over into my classroom,” Brodie said. “Every student who has walked through my classroom door has become a member of Brodie’s Best, ones who in turn will go share that with the world. My professors at Faulkner worked to prepare me for this in addition to everything else I needed to learn to enter this demanding but amazing field. I am blessed to have started my career at Faulkner University, and humbled to get to come back and help start others on this amazing path as well.”
Brodie, a native of Charlotte, North Carolina, graduated from Faulkner in spring of 2004 magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. While at Faulkner, she was active in Delta Xi Omega social club and inducted into the Alpha Chi Honor Society. She was selected as the College of Education’s Distinguished Alumna for the 2021 Marketplace Faith Friday Forums.
Brodie now teaches second graders at Wetumpka Elementary School in the classroom across the hall from where she interned and has taught there for 17 years.
“I absolutely love what I do. Second grade is where they gain their independence and spread their wings, but they still love you and are excited to come to school each day,” Brodie said. “I love to see their growth and am amazed at what we are able to accomplish in my classroom each year.”
Brodie was named the Elmore County Teacher of the Year in 2013. She currently lives in Wetumpka with her husband Chris who graduated from Faulkner in 2005 and Faulkner Law in 2008. They have two children; 10-year-old son Cutter and four-year-old daughter Keeghan.
