Brandi Hobson: 'I know I am doing my job right if they are having some form of success'

Brandi Hobson

Monte Vista TK-8

PE Teacher

Not many teachers can boast about seeing the whole school (all students in grades transitional kindergarten through 8th grade). But Monte Vista TK-8 School PE teacher Brandi Hobson does just that, and in fact sees the same class of students twice a week in her role. 

Brandi’s path toward teaching actually began in physical therapy and then coaching. She knew she always wanted to work in sports and with people. She grew up and attended schools in Salinas before pursuing physical therapy at Hartnell College and then transferring to Midwestern State in Texas. At Midwestern she was a cross country track runner and she went on to earn her bachelor’s degree, teaching credential, and finally her master’s degree. 

 

She began her career four years ago at the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District teaching at Los Arboles Middle School and Olson Elementary School. For the past two years she has been at Monte Vista TK-8 School. 

Brandi instills commitment and hard work into her students. 

“I grew up around sports and with the mentality of waking up every day and getting the job done even though I didn’t want to,” she says. “But working hard and being successful pays off.”

For Brandi, she is inspired when a student finally grasps the concept of a skill and sees how happy they are about it. 

“That is something that keeps me going. I know I am doing my job right if they are having some form of success. My goal is to get the kids to pick something, whether they go into sports or not, but pick something that they like to do that is active that keeps them healthy for life. Whenever I find a kid that’s found that then I know I’ve done my part,” Brandi said.

As part of Black History Month this February and as a Black female PE teacher, we asked Brandi how she enlightens and highlights women of all backgrounds. 

“That is really important to me because you don’t see a lot of African American females let alone in PE as teachers. I grew up with one or two teachers that look like me. It's important that I be that light for those kids and hopefully if they see me or someone that looks like them that might push them to be a teacher or just be that light in that field they are going in,” she says. 

She also emphasized the importance of having students know that they have a safe space to have someone to talk to or relate to when they are going through something at school. 

 

“My main goal is equity in my class and inclusiveness. It doesn’t matter what color you are, how tall you are, how short you are, whether you're good at sports or not, we should all be able to come together and do something active and physical and have a good time,” she states.

Outside of work, Brandi admits to having way too many hobbies - from reading to going to the gym, to being active outdoors, going to concerts, hanging out with friends, and traveling.