Educator Of The Month: Julie Bresson

Julie Bresson is thankful her family moved to Severna Park’s Whitehurst community in 1975. The youngest of four siblings, Bresson started kindergarten at Folger McKinsey Elementary School that year.

“We rode our bikes or walked all over town, enjoyed time in and on the rivers,” Bresson said. “It was awesome and very much what I see for kids in Severna Park today. Families looked out for each other.”

She attended Severna Park Middle School (SPMS) and Severna Park High School (SPHS) before moving to Frederick County in 1986.

The mom of three received her undergraduate degree in sociology with a minor in psychology from Elon University in North Carolina before pursuing her graduate degree in education from Cambridge College in Massachusetts.

She also participated in Anne Arundel County Public Schools’ resident teacher program for special education through Notre Dame of Maryland University. She has taught second, third, sixth, seventh and eighth grade for both general and special education, and both public and private education, over her 26 years in the field.

Since August 2009, Bresson has taught middle school science.

From St. Mary of the Mills in Laurel, Maryland, to Meade Middle School and Old Mill Middle School North with a quick stop at Wiley H. Bates Middle School during the 2019-2020 school year, Bresson landed at her neighborhood school. She now teaches seventh-grade science at her alma mater, SPMS.

“I can’t tell you how nice it is to be home and to be supported by the fantastic families, administration and staff of Severna Park Middle School,” Bresson said.

SPMS Principal Dennis Kelly shared how Bresson is a tremendous asset to their team, also noting how she’s student-centered in everything she does.

“Specifically, she cares about science but cares more about the learning experience for the whole child,” Kelly said.

Bresson loves teaching science and arts integration.

“I love when my students can show what they know through music or dance, poetry or song,” she said. “Middle school is the best because they are just fun and so creative!”

The science teacher also enjoys seeing kids find their place in the world.

“It’s fulfilling to mentor them through those quirky years,” she said, adding how she teaches “Bresson lessons.”

Kelly views Bresson as a great collaborator too.

“She enjoys working with her colleagues and solving problems that create results that are in the best interest of kids,” Kelly added.

Bresson also volunteers at SPHS for the music program, including marching band, symphonic band, orchestra, percussion ensemble and jazz band.

“I have zero musical talent, but I’m good at organizing kids and helping with events,” she said.

Her kids have participated in Rock ‘N’ Roll Revival as members of the band and cast.

“The music and drama programs are incredible, and I’m so thankful that my kids have had those opportunities,” she said.

Bresson has no plans of letting up on her education endeavors.

Her goal is to bring in more community experts in the various disciplines of science - from human body systems to plastic pollution to the basics of energy and movement and waves of all kinds.

She’d also like to coordinate efforts to plant bulbs in the schoolyard by the bike rack.

“When the school was remodeled, the pretty cluster of trees was removed, and it needs a little TLC,” she added.

Principal Kelly summed up Bresson’s contributions: “We are lucky to have her on our team!”

Do you know other great educators like Bresson? Nominate them today by emailing spvnews@severnaparkvoice.com.

The Educator of the Month is sponsored by Cafe Mezzanotte.