Persona Profile

Name: Brunhilda Sparklegem

Gender: Female

Age: 42

Lives: Red Larch, Faerun

Likes: music, making jewelry, and magic tricks

Education and Experience:

Brunhilda is a teacher in a small farming community with no post-secondary institutions. Brunhilda was able to complete her current teaching credentials years ago through face-to-face instruction by traveling into the nearby city of Waterdeep. Now Brunhilda is seeking some upgrades to develop professionally as a teacher but is finding some barriers that were not present when she originally completed her teaching credentials.

Roles and Responsibilities:

Brunhilda teaches Grade 2 at Red Larch Elementary. Because of a large influx of ELL designated students, Brunhilda is wanting to take some courses to better meet the needs of her learners. Brunhilda is also a wife and mother. Brunhilda has two young children that are not yet school-aged. Brunhilda’s husband runs the farm that they live on and frequently works long hours selling artisanal cheese in various nearby farmer’s markets. Brunhilda also assists in the daily running of the farm in addition to her position at Red Larch Elementary. Despite the long hours put into the Sparklegem Artisanal Cheese Farm, the farm just barely turns a profit and Brunhilda’s teaching position brings in much of the family’s income. Brunhilda already has a lot on her plate but cannot afford to take a leave from her teaching position. Brunhilda is hoping she might be able to take some ELL courses while on her summer break, but the summer is also when the farmer’s markets are most busy and Brunhilda is the primary caregiver to her children while her husband works. Brunhilda has no close family nearby that could watch her children and the cost to arrange childcare would be cost- prohibited for Brunhilda’s family.

Technical Skills:

Brunhilda is comfortable with technology. She has an internet connection at her home and a desktop computer she uses mostly to access social media. She is most familiar with platforms like Facebook for keeping in touch with family and Pinterest for sharing lesson plans and ideas. Brunhilda also has basic computer skills that allow her to communicate with parents through email and use her school district’s online program for reporting student progress.

Subject Domain Skills and Knowledge:

Brunhilda already has a degree in Education. She was always more attracted to the humanities and double majored in English and History for her undergrad. Brunhilda is also very well-versed in music and plays the lute.

Motivation and Desires:

Brunhilda wants to learn more about ELL because she currently feels ineffective at meeting the needs of her diverse group of learners. Increasing her knowledge base as a teacher will also result in a small pay bump that will financially benefit Brunhilda’s entire family. Brunhilda is motivated to develop professionally and better support her family but is not excited for the upheaval that may result from her decision to go back to school.

Goals and Expectations:

Brunhilda’s goal is to find a way to complete her teacher upgrades online in the summer months so that she does not need to incur the cost of taking a leave or finding childcare. Brunhilda has never taken online learning before and doesn’t know what to expect or if the course she wants is even offered online but knows of other teachers that have done upgrading online.

Obstacles to Success:

Brunhilda worries about lacking the time to complete her studies. Even if she finds a course that is offered while she is on her summer break, she still has her other commitments on the farm and caring for her two and four-year-old children take up most of her time. Brunhilda feels like she could possibly get most of her course work done at night after her children go to bed. Brunhilda has also never taken an online course before and worries about being able to concentrate on the material and keep on-task without in-person meetings. Brunhilda was diagnosed with ADHD as a child and has worked very hard to overcome the challenges she has faced with learning. She struggles with organization and focusing on content that does not immediately engage or interest her. Brunhilda always did better collaborating with others and learning through seminars in traditional education rather than extrapolating information in dense texts. Brunhilda worries that taking an online course might be too individualistic for her and she may not be able keep herself organized and stick to deadlines.

Unique Assets:

Brunhilda is very driven once she commits to something. While she worries if online learning is right for her, she is also determined that she can do it if she puts her mind to it.

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