Teachers and educators have the ability to make a difference in students’ lives, especially bookworms like me. Mrs. Brannan, the librarian at Stone Bank and leader of book club, was a key factor in my surviving and eventually thriving in middle school.

Stone Bank is a small school, with the average graduating class hovering around 40. Most of the students stayed at the school for both the elementary and middle school years. By the fourth grade, we began to grow out of our childhood tendencies and formulate more mature relationships. Some friendships were destroyed as people moved away or grew apart, while others strengthened. My friendships, unfortunately, fell in the first category. By the time I got to fifth grade, I turned to books to cope with my loneliness.

As a middle schooler, I was able to join a book club, run by the librarian Mrs. Brannan. I was excited that I would be able to have an environment where my four-book-a-week pace wouldn’t seem as weird. Book Club became my solace from the lonesome existence of my day, where I had no pressure to be perfect or smart. It was something to look forward to each month, the discussions in the hallway and at lunch and the attempts to not spoil the book were my favorite interactions of the day.  

One of the most prominent memories I have of book club was when we read the book An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir. In our preliminary book choosing, Mrs. Brannan stopped us all in our tracks and said “guys, this author has the best name” and hissed at us “Sabaa Tahir.” Us all being Harry Potter fans thought her name sounded like parseltongue, (the language used to talk to snakes in the books).  Book club members would whisper it to each other in the hallway like a secret code. To this day, whenever I see An Ember in the Ashes I smile to myself.  

Mrs. Brannan was there to tell a funny story, support me, listen to me or push me to be a better student and person. Countless class periods of WCATY (a Gifted and Talented Program) were spent discussing common themes, philosophy and how best to write/communicate.

I remember being able to talk to Mrs. Brannan about anything, whether it was my siblings being annoying or another student that was on my nerves. She channeled her love of reading and books into me. I appreciate all she does for the school, from inviting Elephant and Piggie to our talk to the younger kids or hosting Battle of the Books.

Thank you Mrs. Brannan, you have no idea how much of an impact you had on who I am today.