Madison Reporter

Six triangular desks are arranged in Nathan Brelsford’s classroom at Sherman Middle School, forming a star shape. This arrangement symbolizes the belief that each student is a star, as Brelsford reinforces to his seventh-grade class.

The students were engaged in activities based on their classroom agreement, which emphasizes listening, respect, preparedness, and honesty. "Like all of our middle schoolers, [my students] are experiencing or discovering who they are," Brelsford said. He views his role as reflecting these identities back to them.

Brelsford employs flexibility in his teaching approach. For instance, when a student was reluctant to complete a written assignment about the classroom agreement, he adapted by engaging with the student verbally instead. “It’s recognizing when we can make a switch to something else that would be more beneficial once we've hit a dead end,” Brelsford explained.

He focuses on encouraging his students and breaking down stigmas associated with special education services. After celebrating a student's personal achievement in reading scores, he emphasized the importance of acknowledging success even in small ways: “They just need to be told that they're successful and shown that they can be successful.”

With over 20 years of experience, Brelsford is now in his sixth year at Sherman Middle School as a cross categorical special education teacher. Previously teaching at an international school for nearly two decades, he sought deeper connections within his local community: “For the people who are staying here... I wanted to participate with that.”

Brelsford's dedication aims to prepare students for success both academically and within their community.

In related news, MMSD is seeking approval from taxpayers for two referendum questions this fall. The proposed operational referendum of $100 million over four years aims to support teachers like Nathan Brelsford by offering competitive salaries and benefits.