Autumn Browning

My name is Autumn Browning and I am an English Language Arts teacher at Star Spencer Mid-High.  My journey into teaching was not a traditional one.  As I started writing this autobiography, I could not help but reflect on the teachers in my life.  Specifically, I thought about my dear mentor and friend, Mr. Childs.  He helped shape my view of the world and my role in it by being an exceptional teacher.  Mr. Childs taught a wilderness program at my public school where students were able to go on guided backpacking trips for a week at a time.  These experiential trips taught us skills about living in community, survival, appreciation and respect for nature, and also an understanding of our core selves.  Mr. Childs allowed me to support him as a peer mentor for younger, at-risk students.  This was the first time I found passion and purpose for myself- I knew I wanted to work with teens and I wanted to emulate the kindness, love, and respect that Mr. Childs gave me and my school community.  For this gift, I cannot be more grateful. 

I am a first generation college student and given my desire to work with younger people, I decided to study generalist social work at Warren Wilson College.  After graduating early, I joined Teach For America in 2013 and was placed in the Mississippi Delta where I taught high school English.  When I began teaching in Mississippi, I was (and continue to be) humbled and inspired by my students' bravery, compassion, and joy.  I am encouraged by their ability to engage with the challenges of high school and the world around them with open minds and hearts.  Early in my teaching career, I realized that teaching and social work are inextricably linked- that to be a great teacher, I needed to be an even greater social worker.  As a result, I attended the University of Southern California and obtained my Masters in clinical Social Work with a focus on children in schools.  I returned to the classroom in Oklahoma City, and began infusing my clinical skills and teaching practices together to foster a positive social-emotional learning environment for students.  While teaching at Star Spencer, I was able to help develop and pilot The Community Leadership Class, a social-emotional curriculum through the non-profit LifeSpheres.  I am also a school advisory board member for this organization.

This is my eighth year in education and I can truly say that this is my dream profession.  This past year, I obtained National Board Certification in adolescent and young adult English Language Arts.  It is my hope that I continue to grow and develop as an educator that serves students with passion and purpose.