Bringing his love of English, literature and drama to the classroom

SEELEY LAKE - Walking on the campus of Dixie State University in St. George, Utah, Brian Bennion had the distinct impression, and a really good feeling, that becoming an English teacher would be the best choice for him.

"At the time I had been debating what discipline I wanted to teach, but it wasn't until that point in time that I firmly decided to become an English teacher," said Bennion.

Bennion is looking forward to bringing his love of learning, reading, research and drama to the classroom at Seeley-Swan High School and helping the students succeed academically through whatever challenges they face.

Growing up, Bennion remembers specific teachers - Mr. Edwards, Mr. and Mrs. Lister, Mrs. Jacobsen, Mr. Magleby, and many others - that made a lasting impression on him and helped shape him into who he is.

"Not only did these teachers provide an education in their respective fields, but they also provided life-long lessons that I will always remember," said Bennion. "It is for those reasons, and those individuals, that I wanted to be a teacher. I wanted to help shape the lives of the upcoming generations not only in the field of English Language Arts, but to be a good person and help them along their path to their dreams."

Bennion attended Dixie State University. He was heavily involved in theatrical productions through college. He was also selected to present a condensed version of his thesis "From Dirt to Interstellar: The Intersection of Science Fiction, Science, and Film" at the 2017 International Sigma Tau Delta Convention in Cincinnati, Ohio.

"I was incredibly surprised and humbled to be selected as part of this convention in this role, but I was also excited to travel to a city that I had never been to before," said Bennion.

Bennion graduated magna cum laude from Dixie State University in May of 2018 with a Bachelors in English with an emphasis in Secondary Education.

Bennion's first teaching job was at Frenchtown Middle School last year. He was hired to help with a larger class coming into the sixth grade for the year. This year's incoming class was not large enough to retain him and his contract was not renewed.

Hoping to stay in the Missoula area, he applied for the SSHS English position. Missoula County Public Schools hired him to teach freshman and sophomore English Language Arts and a drama course.

"I had driven through Seeley numerous times and knew that it was a beautiful area," said Bennion. "Now, as I meet residents of Seeley, I am shown the quality and caliber of people that live there. With that being said, I feel very blessed to have a teaching position among such a wonderful people that I am excited to get to know more. I am eager to teach the students I'll have how to read and evaluate literature and to learn and develop their writing abilities to better the world around them."

Bennion is looking forward to getting to know a new group of students and colleagues. He is eager to share his passion for drama with students who are interested.

"Theater is a wonderful world of expression that benefits an individual, and audience, more than putting a "play on stage,"" said Bennion.

He is also excited to teach his students more about the English language and literature. He brings practiced methodologies of evaluating literature and various types of writings that can be used to understand how and why human beings communicate with each other – for him, one of the bases of understanding the English language.

"One of the main focuses that I have being a teacher is to help my students understand the 'why' of what we study and what we do in the classroom. I believe that if they understand why we do what we do in the classroom, they will be able to use what they learn in their everyday lives and not just for a test at the end of a quarter or semester," said Bennion. "I teach my students how to think effectively as to benefit them in whatever their goals or aspirations are."

Bennion recognizes students are being raised in the technological era where a myriad of technologies are being used and developed on a daily basis. He believes he has a responsibility to teach them to understand and use these technologies safely and effectively in education and for later in their lives.

"I couple that with an understanding of the English language for a comprehensive and highly interesting and fun atmosphere that makes learning enjoyable," said Bennion.

When not in the classroom, Bennion enjoys reading, cooking, woodworking, home projects/repairs, running and a range of outside activities (e.g. hiking, camping, etc.) He also enjoys more casual activities including watching his favorite films and the occasional Netflix series. Couple any of those activities with eating Sour Patch Kids or trail mix and Bennion is happy.