Stepping into a new teaching role is always exciting but just as nerve-wracking for teachers. For Sierra Pacific’s new English teacher, Brianna Bergen, this may have just checked off another achievement on her list. After years of working with a younger age group and teaching a variety of subjects, she is now challenging herself to work with high schoolers.
Now in her second year at Sierra Pacific, Bergen said moving to high school has been a very interesting experience for her.
“It was just interesting seeing the difference between high schoolers and their general attitude towards education,” Bergen said.
Having spent so much time teaching younger students, Bergen was once the one preparing them for their high school experience, and now she is teaching them. This has opened a brand-new perspective for her. Bergen was a librarian for seven years at Jefferson, working with children from kindergarten to eighth grade.
Then she taught science, computers, leadership and coached girls sports. Safe to say she is experienced in many different teaching roles. Although she is not a first-time teacher, last year was her first time teaching at this age level and subject.
Bergen said she received a warm welcome from other members of the English department.
“Every teacher in the English department… they’ve always checked in on me and been willing to help,” Bergen said. “They’re a great soundboard for me.”
Before joining the staff at Sierra Pacific, Bergen was born in Germany, then raised in Fresno, and later moved to Laton, where she attended high school.
She has a diverse background, having worked not only in education but also on her family’s farm and at Chipotle, while attending Fresno State.
Bergen said she feels lucky to teach at a school like Sierra Pacific with one of her former teachers now being a co-worker.
“A teacher that works at Hanford High, Mr. Paul—he teaches English—he was my English teacher,” Bergen said. “So I’ve always wanted to teach high school English. It was a goal of mine.”
When asked about her goals, Bergen emphasized building a connection with her students and making her class memorable.
Said Bergen: “I want them to know that I’m a person they can come to, that my room is a safe place.”