Brian Tyler Honored as Teacher of the Month
We interviewed Brian Tyler, a Special Education Teacher/Regional PEALS at Queen Anne’s County High School. His heart is with students who need extra support to be successful, and he’s develop some interesting hobbies along the way including the beard world and an impressive collection of snakes and lizards.
What is your background? How long have you been teaching? I am a graduate of QAC High School. This school and this community helped shape who I became, and now I get to give back to students in the same building where I grew up. I have been teaching since 2001, so I am finishing up my 25th year in education. I have worked with a wide range of students, but my heart has really been in helping students who need extra support academically, emotionally, socially, and behaviorally.
How did you become interested in Special Ed? What is Regional PEALS? I have always connected with students who may not fit neatly into a traditional classroom setting. Some students need someone to slow things down, explain things differently, build trust, and see the whole child instead of just the assignment or behavior.
Regional PEALS stands for Program for Emotional and Academic Learning Support. It is a regional special education program designed to support students who need a more structured and supportive environment to be successful in school. Our students may need help with academics, emotional regulation, behavior, social skills, executive functioning, or just learning how to manage the demands of a school day.
What was your favorite subject in school? Least favorite? Probably history or social studies. I have always liked stories, people, and understanding why things happened the way
they did. History is just the story of people making decisions, facing challenges, and living through moments they probably did not realize would become important. My least favorite subject was probably math when it felt too abstract or disconnected from real life. I did better when I understood why something mattered or how I could use it. That helps me as a teacher now, because I try to make learning practical and understandable for students who may not immediately connect with a subject.
Do you have a teacher, friend, or family member who inspired you to become a teacher? I was inspired by the teachers and adults who made students feel seen, Ms. Jenkins-Moore and Mr. Campbell come to mind. The best teachers were not always the loudest or the flashiest. They were the ones who remembered your name, noticed when something was wrong, and made you feel like you mattered.
How can parents encourage their children to read? To use good study habits? The biggest thing parents can do is make reading feel normal instead of making it feel like a punishment. Let kids read things they are interested in. It does not have to be a classic novel. It can be sports articles, graphic novels, biographies, magazines, manuals, comics, or books connected to movies and games they already enjoy.
For study habits, routine matters. Students do better when there is a predictable time and place to work, even if only for a short time each night. I also think parents can help by asking simple questions like, “What do you need to finish first?” or “What is one thing you can get done tonight?” instead of turning homework into a battle.
What is rewarding about your position? What challenges do you face? Seeing growth that other people might miss. Sometimes success is not a perfect test score. Sometimes success is a student staying in class when they used to walk out, asking for help instead of shutting down, completing work they thought they could not do, or trusting an adult enough to try again.
The biggest challenge is that progress is not always quick or easy. Some students come to us with years of frustration, school failure, trauma, anxiety, or low confidence. You have to be patient… stay consistent. You must understand that a bad day does not mean a student is a bad kid. It just means we have more work to do together.
What advice would you give a parent to help their child succeed in school? Don’t be afraid to reach out to teachers if you have any concerns or celebrations. We want to partner with you, and we really don’t judge. We love your kid and are committed to helping them succeed. The more we know, the more we can help. I appreciate it so much when a parent lets me know when their child is struggling and when a new strategy we are trying is working, and they notice at home. Parents are the experts on their kids, and I love their insight.
What are some ways to encourage children to read? Start reading early and take them to the local libraries. The QAC Library has some really fantastic free programs for kids of all ages. The more we can make reading and being around books a fun, positive experience, the more kids will want to read. Also, if you have a kid who enjoys their screen time, turn closed captioning on TV shows and YouTube videos. Environmental print goes a long way in helping them read, even when you have to sneak it in. 🙂
What do you do for fun? My family keeps me pretty busy. My wife, Kristen Tyler, whom I have known since 5th grade at CMS and graduated with, and I have three kids. A lot of my time is spent with family, school events, sports, dance, and everything that comes with raising kids. I enjoy baseball, Orioles and Ravens games, local history, genealogy, working with my beard club, and being involved in community events.
You have the summer to look forward to. Any plans? When do you begin preparing for the upcoming school year? Summer is usually a mix of family time, catching my breath, and time in the Bethany Beach area. I continue to teach over the summer and then slowly begin thinking about the next school year. I try to take some time early in the summer to reset, spend time with my family, and get away from the pace of the school year. But teachers never really stop thinking about school. Usually by mid-summer, ideas start coming back. I think about what worked, what needs to change, how to improve routines, and what my students may need when they return.
You have some interesting hobbies. Tell us how you became involved with the Mad Viking Beard and Mustache Club. The beard world is one of the more unexpected parts of my life. I became involved through beard competitions and the community that surrounds them. What people may not realize is that beard clubs are not just about facial hair. A lot of them are built around charity, service, and raising money for good causes. The beard may be what gets people’s attention, but the real purpose is using that attention to help others, support families, and give back.
You also are a collector of snakes and lizards. What’s in your collection? I have always had an interest in reptiles. They are fascinating animals that are often misunderstood. A lot of people react with fear; once they learn about them, they realize how interesting and unique they are. In my collection, I have 3 turtles, 1 bearded dragon, 5 leopard geckos, 7 ball pythons, 3 Axolitis, 1 red tail boa, and 2 community fish tanks. Each one has its own personality, care needs, and behaviors. Keeping reptiles teaches patience and responsibility because you must pay close attention to their environment, temperature, food, shedding, and overall health.
Nominate a teacher who makes a difference by emailing their name & school to office@shoreupdate.com.