Meet our PK Teacher Aide – Ms. Brazil

Welcome, Ms. Brazil! We are happy to have you on the Grace Team! We asked Ms. Brazil to tell us a little more about herself, and here is what she shared:

I grew up on the Westside in the North Lawndale Community and graduated from Near North Career Magnet High School. I completed my associates degree at Malcolm X College where I was a part of the honor society. I took two theater classes and directed and acted in a children’s play. I received a scholarship to attend Roosevelt University where I got my BA in criminal justice. It was during my junior college years at Malcolm X where I found my joy and love for working with young children. My grandmother always said that I had a special gift with kids. Children would wave and say hi to me everywhere I went. This is why I decided to following my dreams to become a preschool teacher.

My teaching skills and experience were learned at Les Finch’s Learning Tree over 12 years.

When I decided to go back to school at Roosevelt  University, I wanted to work more with the youth by becoming a mentor and helping them to stay out of trouble in the streets. I believe that everyone deserves a chance to receive a good education and to turn their lives around.

I have lived in Berwyn now for about 20 years. I have been married for 12 years to my husband Derrick. We both enjoy sending time together and going to the movies and concerts. We both like watching the same sports on tv like basketball and football games during their respective seasons, but my favorite sport to play is volleyball. I was a volleyball co-captain in my senior year of high school. For fun, I love to jump rope too.

Art runs in my family. Five of my nieces know how to either draw or paint. I also enjoy family time. I believe that is so important right now. We sometimes forget about all the fun memories we shared growing up as a kids with our sisters or brothers. I feel that is important to share these memories with our children and family.