Teachers have more of an impact on their students’ lives than just with the lessons they teach. They are role models and examples of everyday life. Britton Gabriele says that his decision to have a career in education is because of people in his life when he was a student.
“My mom was an elementary librarian and high school dance coach, and my dad coached me in all youth sports,” Britton said. “Seeing their interaction with students and kids made me want to get involved in the education field. Also, my fourth grade teachers, Andy Ortiz, made the greatest impact on me. He made learning enjoyable and taught us to be disciplined. He taught us organization and consistency. I also loved every Friday when he would take us outside to play football.”
Britton teaches United States History, Oklahoma History, and United States Government at Boise City High School, where he has been a teacher for fifteen years.
While he loves the subjects that he teaches, Gabriele says that impact on a kid’s life is about more than just what is in the text book.
“I enjoy interacting with the younger generation and trying to get them prepared for the future,” he said. “Helping students set goals and then later achieve them is the greatest gift an educator can experience. I have learned throughout my 18 years of teaching that school is not just teaching about a subject. It’s about teaching life skills and getting students prepared for any challenges they may face in life.”
Throughout his career, he has received different pieces of advice from fellow teachers. But Britton has one piece of advice that stands out the most.
“The best advice I ever received came from a colleague, Mrs. Pat Ramsey,” he recalled. “She was my mentor for my first year of teaching and she told me to be kind to myself, and help myself out. Do not consume my life in lesson plans and grading papers. I need to enjoy teaching and balance out my day. She also stressed being consistent in everything that I do.”
Britton and his wife, Jessica, have been married for twelve years and they have three children; Brielle, Brensen, and Broxten.
