Brentlinger is October Teacher of the Month

Surrounded by her second-grade class, Deer Meadow teacher Laura Brentlinger accepts a $50 gift card from Banner Graphic General Manager Daryl Taylor. Brentlinger's class includes students Cassandra Allen, Liberty Amis, Samantha Back, Caiden Baker, Matthew Barnett, Trentan Campbell, Keigon Collenbaugh, Nicholas Elrod, Kivan Hutcheson, Jenna Lovett, Evelin Martinez-Aleman, Serenitie McFadden, Robert McKinney, Kyle Miller, MaKenna Nicholson, Kierra Phifer, Blake Pingleton, Gavin Pingleton, Glen Shillings, Annaliese Smith, Marley Tekle, Kaylee Wallace and Elexis Weintraut.

With a teaching style that fosters an engaging and welcoming classroom for students and parents, Deer Meadow Primary School second-grade teacher Laura Brentlinger is the November Banner Graphic Teacher of the Month.

"Mrs. Brentlinger has been a great teacher for my twin boys," the nomination reads, noting the boys have been in Brentlinger's class for first and second grade. "My boys come home and talk about how much they have learned and experiments they have done.

"She always has a welcoming attitude to parents in her classroom. She is amazing at keeping parents involved in the classroom. I always know every time I speak with her she will greet me with a smile."

Now in her 11th year of teaching, Brentlinger has spent the last nine at Deer Meadow, following two years in Indianapolis. She expressed happiness at receiving the award.

"I was honored and excited," she said.

As part of her award, Brentlinger received a $50 gift card from Banner Graphic General Manager Daryl Taylor. The teacher said she has not yet thought about how she might use it for her class.

Brentlinger has lived in the area for 10 years with her husband Jared. They have one son, Kyle, who is a first-grader.

Nominations for the November Teacher of the Month will be accepted through Wednesday, Nov. 20. Voting will be conducting between Nov. 25 and 30.

All educators who win Teacher of the Month honors will be entered into the final Banner Graphic Teacher of the Year contest in May.