Each passing school year brings exciting new changes for BHS. Every year, Berkley welcomes new friendly faces, not just freshmen, but teachers as well! The science, math, and history departments all gained new teachers this year. I interviewed them to learn about their backgrounds, their excitement for the upcoming year, and how they ended up at Berkley!
Mrs. Brand (she/her)
Teaching geometry and personal finance this year, Mrs. Brand is enthusiastic to work at a school like Berkley that has “innovative math teachers and administration that supports their teachers and students as people first.” Mrs. Brand’s interest in teaching mathematics stems from having an “amazing math teacher in high school” who showed her that math teachers didn’t have to be the “smartest kid in the room,” she expressed. She stated that instead, math teachers must have “perseverance, flexibility, patience, ability to see and explain concepts in a variety of ways, and problem-solving skills.” This is Mrs. Brand’s seventh year teaching. She taught in Arkansas for five years, and the other two have been in Michigan. This will be her fourth year teaching geometry. Overall, Mrs. Brand is most excited to get to know all of her students better and become more integrated in BHS. She says, “I also love going to watch my students in what they love doing outside of class, so cheering on at sporting events, concerts, musicals, and plays is a highlight!”
Ms. Rausch (she/her)
Ms. Rausch joined the Berkley School District in 2023 as a paraprofessional with the Adult Transition Program (ATP). Then, she did her pre-student teaching with Mrs. Plater in the fall of 2024. The following spring, she began student teaching with Mrs. Sims, and served as a building substitute. This is her first year as a full-time educator, and she is teaching government/economics and world history. Ms. Rausch said she’s thrilled her first teaching position is at BHS because she “loves the community, values, and the team” in the Berkley School District. As she begins the school year, Ms. Rausch is most excited to “get to know her students and grow as an educator.”
Ms. Blucher (she/her)
Starting her seventh year teaching, Ms. Blucher is teaching chemistry and astronomy here at BHS. She decided to go into science because, as she explained, “it is important for all people to understand the world around them.” One factor that drew her to Berkley was her proximity to the district and the positive reputation she’d heard about it. “So far, it is a wonderful place to work,” she said. Before entering education, Ms. Blucher worked in healthcare for seven years. She is most excited to grow a connection and relationship with her students as the year goes on, so make sure to stop by and say hi!
As we welcome these educators into our halls, it’s clear they will bring lots of excitement and knowledge to BHS. These new educators are enthusiastic about connecting with their students and becoming part of the BHS community.
