Students nearly brought down the roof honoring a teacher in the Medina Valley Independent School District this week. The Medina Valley Middle School held a big pep rally for Sixth grade Science teacher Karen Middlebrooks. The band had everyone on their feet and the cheerleading squad even had cheers specially made for her. Cheering isn't just for pep rallies, it continues in Mrs. Middlebrooks classroom. "She is just an awesome science teacher. She makes every day have a little bit of fun. She has these cool cheers she teaches us to help us learn," said sixth grader Matthew Ryan. Standing in the middle of the classroom, Karen Middlebrooks quickly transforms from Science teacher to cheerleader. "I say volume, you say space," she begins leading the class in a cheer. "Volume," Middlebrooks says. "Space!" her students shout back. "We have a lot of fun and learn at the same time," said Ryan. "She teaches us a lot of cheers that go with everything we do everyday," said sixth grader Sendy Sanchez. "I'm just kinda silly. My deal is I'll do whatever it takes to get their attention. It's like teaching with your hair on fire with Middle School students," said Middlebrooks. "I love science so much it's contagious. It's like a gene or something in me. I find if I'm enthusiastic about it that enthusiasm tends to catch on. I've always loved science. i was the kid who HAD things growing out of jars in my parents garage," said Middlebrooks. Now she is growing students in the classroom. "My goal is really growth for them. By the end of the year they should really have grown not only in science but really as a person. I want them to walk out of here at the end of the year with confidence," said Middlebrooks. She helps them grow in confidence by encouraging them with cheers and recognition every day.
