Brownwood Middle School has named faculty member, Carolyn Brandenburg, the 2010 “Joan Stewart Point of Light Spotlight” recipient.  This prestigious recognition is given to a staff member who portrays the excellence in education and life examples that characterized former BMS teacher Joan Stewart’s life and teaching career.

Mrs. Brandenburg has 25 years of teaching experience, with 20 of those in Brownwood ISD.  She has taught Career Investigation at the Middle School for 9 years, and prior to that, she taught first grade at Northwest Elementary for 11 years.  “Almost every student I taught in first grade has grown up to be just as sweet at age 13 as he or she was at 6,” said Mrs. Brandenburg.

“Mrs. Brandenburg has a wonderful attitude,” said Mr. Allen.  “She is young at heart.”

On May 5, the entire Middle School celebrated Mrs. Brandenburg at a Point of Light Ceremony, honoring the entire campus faculty, with a special focus on the Point of Light recipient.  The song, “Point of Light,” was sung by fellow faculty member, Mal Aaron, and several staff members made remarks about Mrs. Brandenburg’s life and accomplishments, both inside and outside of the classroom.

Presenting the award to Mrs. Brandenburg were Troy Stewart, Mary Woodcox and Pat Freeman, family members of Joan Stewart.

To commemorate Mrs. Brandenburg, her name was added to the perpetual plaque in the Main Office at the Middle School, the BMS library has added a book about wildflowers in her honor, and she was given a lamp to symbolize the light she has been in the lives of others.

Photo: Kevin Gabaree, Deputy Superintendent, Dr. Reece Blincoe, Superintendent, Carolyn Brandenburg, Point of Light Recipient, Bryan Allen, BMS Principal, and Nancy Blackstock, 2007 Point of Light Recipient.