INFLUENCER OF THE WEEK: Julie Branom, Dillard Street Elementary School

Julie Branom is the program assistant for the Exceptional Student Education program at Dillard Street Elementary School and has been at the Winter Garden school for more than 20 years. She works with students in prekindergarten through fifth grade assisting teachers in the classroom.

“She is the ultimate team player and is able to provide support wherever needed,” said Jenesis McGhee, school secretary. “She is always smiling and positive toward all the students she works with, and her students know that she will always be there for them. She is always encouraging her students to be the best they can be. Mrs. Branom always goes above and beyond, and her love for working with children with special needs is unmatched.”

What brought you to your school? 

I ran a home daycare for 15 years and decided to get a job in the school system so I would have summers off with my own two children. I figured this would be the best place to go since it was in my own community and my children attended this school and my husband was a Dillard Street Elementary alumni.

What do you love most about your school?

What I love most about my school is that it is a part of my community and I like being able to see the children outside of school. It’s fun to see the surprised look on their faces when they recognize you in the grocery store, a restaurant, walking in the park, or at a special event in downtown Winter Garden.

What is your motivation?

I love to be around children of all ages. I really love what I do and can’t see myself doing anything else.

What is the most rewarding part of your job? 

The most rewarding part of my job is watching children grow and mature in their body and mind. When you stay in one school for as long as I have, you see this happening from year to year. This is what makes it difficult sometimes when they graduate from elementary school — you get too attached, and it’s sad to see them go. Thanks to Facebook though, I have been able to catch up with some of my former students now as adults.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

In my spare time I like to go fishing with my family either on a lake or off a pier on either coast. I love being out in nature, walking, doing yard work or just watching a beautiful sunset. I especially love spending time with my toy poodle, Rocco!

Who was your favorite teacher when you were in school? Why?

I went to a small public school K-12 in the Finger Lakes area of New York state, and because it was so small, I had this one teacher for several subjects when I was in high school. Her name was Mrs. Sinicropi, and she taught typing, shorthand and accounting. She also owned (still owns) a flower shop where I order flowers from whenever I need flowers for someone in New York. She was just such a caring, considerate and understanding person. Everyone loved her.

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? Why?

I always wanted to be a teacher when I was a child. At the end of each school year in elementary I would bring home all the excess papers that the teacher would be getting rid of and make my little sister play school with me. My sister, to this day, claims that’s why she hated school. Even though I loved playing school, when I entered middle and high school, I leaned toward secretarial-type work because I loved organizing things, working with numbers and just everything that had to do with being a secretary.

What is your favorite children’s book and why?

I love a lot of children’s books, but I guess the book I first fell in love with when I had my home daycare was “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom,” by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault. It’s just a really fun alphabet book with bright colors and cute little rhymes.

What are your hobbies?

I don’t know if I have any real hobbies unless collecting snowmen and cows is a hobby. My family thinks I have enough of these, so I’m trying to resist getting any more. 

If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?

If I could have any superpower, I guess it would be to be able to heal people with mental illness, especially children. Mental illness is such a mysterious thing and so hard to manage, let alone cure. I see children with mental illness, and it breaks my heart to not know how to make it all better for them or to make it go away so they can live a more normal life.

If you could only listen to three bands or artists for the rest of your life, what would they be and why?

Contemporary Christian music “is my jam.” My three favorite groups would be Casting Crowns, Chris Tomlin and Mercy Me.

What was your go-to lunch as an elementary student? Any favorite snacks or special treats you remember?

My go-to lunch was square pizza all through school K-12. The only snack I remember was in kindergarten, and it was plain crackers with orange juice. We always had it after our naptime.

What is your favorite holiday and why?

My favorite holiday is Easter. It’s my favorite because it symbolizes new beginnings, forgiveness and hope in something greater than ourselves.

Who was your best friend when you were in school and why? Are you still in touch?

My best friend was Lisa Heitmann. We did everything together like we were family. I visited her this summer while I was in New York visiting my family.

What were your extracurricular activities as a student? Did you win any accolades or honors?

I did several intramural sports when I was in school. Soccer and field hockey were my favorites. I also was involved in 4-H for several years, where I learned cooking and sewing skills. One of my sewing projects won a blue ribbon and was entered in the New York State Fair.