Near the end of the social studies wing on the first floor of the building is Mrs. Hilbrant’s classroom. The classroom looks no different from a normal room, except for one thing. The history puns and posters that are tacked to the walls and doors of the room. On top of her cabinets, a line of flags from a host of different countries. On her desk, a plastic brain, next to it, a model of the inside of a human ear. Mrs. Hilbrant’s classroom decor is amusing and expressive, but it’s also a testament to the kind of teacher she is and the diversity of her involvement here at MHS.
Mrs. Hilbrant has been teaching for twelve years, eight of which were spent at MHS. With a degree in both History and Secondary Education, her journey has brought her to various places along the way, including Arizona, Texas, Illinois, and finally Iowa.
During her time at Muscatine High School, Hilbrant got to see her own kids pass through the school system firsthand, saying, “My oldest did his junior and senior year here (at MHS) and then the other four did all four years here.”
The uniqueness of being a parent and a teacher at the high school was also very valuable to her, even if it may have been a bit different for her kids.
“It was interesting having my kids around. They were unsure of it at first, but they ended up really liking having their mom in the building,” she said.
Hilbrant further noted the uniqueness of her position. As both a parent of high schoolers and a high school teacher, she boasted a viewpoint that few people have. Hilbrant noted the friction between the two, sometimes opposing viewpoints, saying, “There is some frustration because as a parent, you want what’s best for your individual kid. As a teacher, you understand it differently, and you know that you have to make decisions based on what’s best for all kids.”
Ultimately, the duality of her position led her to one of her most meaningful involvements to date: Model UN. “ My daughter started doing Model UN, so we coincided when we did it together. That was kind of fun, too, being involved in something that my kid was interested in.”
With her kids out of the nest now, Hilbrant remains involved in Model UN, explaining, “You really get to know kids when you travel with them. And you spend seven days straight without your families, without the classroom. And that’s really cool because you get to be a part of their life.”
Model UN isn’t the only thing Mrs. Hilbrant is involved in, and it definitely won’t be the last new activity she adds to her plate, as she also took on Mock Trial and teaching AP Psychology this year.
“Psychology is new to me. I just recently got certified to teach it, and it has been a lot of fun. The content is very interesting. I really like the way the kids respond to the content. That stuff is brand new but interesting and fun.”
Alex Fourneau, a sophomore at MHS, is a student in Mrs. Hilbrant’s 1st period who knows firsthand what it’s like to have Hilbrant as a teacher.
When reflecting on his first year in her new class, he notes his appreciation for her dedication, saying, “I like how she is willing to admit her mistakes. It’s a new class for her and us, so that’s important. She is nice and seems like she cares about how well prepared we are for all of our tests.”
For Hilbrant, feedback like this is one of her top priorities.
“One way that you know your teaching is effective is when you see or hear it carried outside of the classroom and discussed. Nothing makes me feel happier as a teacher than to hear students talking about something they learned in the halls, cafeteria, etc.”
Even without having Hilbrant as a teacher, her name gets around because of her involvement and her willingness to try new things and encourage her students to do the same.
“I allow kids to come in anytime. This year, I’ve been really fortunate because I don’t have a second-hour class. So I have an empty room, which has caused my room to be sort of a study place when kids want to leave their Muskie Time and come in and do homework. And I found that I have a lot of really academic kids that just want a quiet space to do work, or they want to practice speech with you or whatever.”
Hilbrant has definitely made a great impression and a trusted reputation in the high school by carrying this mindset. Even when it comes to her new classes and experiences, she does her best to transfer this to her students as well.
“You’ve got to have a history-minded kid who gets really jazzed up about learning the Revolutionary War, even though I geek out about it. But psychology stuff, sometimes it’s really easy to get a good discussion going, and you can see critical thinking happening in the discussion, which is great.”
In terms of adapting to her students and trying her best, she tries to ask herself questions such as “Did I do this in an effective way? If not, how would I change it to make it effective?” This helps her evaluate how the day went and focus her mindset back on creating an environment where all of her students feel accomplished and supported.
From explaining the inner workings of the human brain to traveling with Model UN, Mrs. Hilbrant shows that teaching is not just about lecturing. It is about making sure students feel seen and heard in her classroom. She has gone above and beyond to earn the respect of students and staff at MHS, and her future contributions are something to look forward to.
