Brenny Named Top Teacher

The end of the school year means many things, summer plans, last concerts and the selection of the Teacher of the Year. For the Hastings teacher receiving this years nod, it was a matter of starting at the very beginning. Kindergarten teacher Tom Brenny was nominated along with 10 others by Education Minnesota-Hastings, the union representing local teachers. A strong proponent of early childhood education, Brenny looks to the growing evidence that youngsters need preschool to function at the level necessary to excel from the very beginning. He enjoys the impact he can make on these little sponges, and acknowledges many students just need an environment where they can learn how to learn. That is what he tries to provide and has been doing so for the past 18 years, currently at Pinecrest Elementary. The selection means his name will be placed in the running for selection of the Minnesota Teacher of the Year. That winner will be announced in the fall.