David Brightbill

I first fell in love with Spain while studying abroad in Seville during my junior year of college. From that moment on I was hooked. When I started to study Spanish as a seventh grader, I never could have imagined that I would be where I am today. I have fond memories of my Spanish learning experience and remember the care and energy that my teachers brought to class each day. That is what I work to recreate in my classroom. Often, people think of the study of language as just vocabulary and grammar, yet it is so much more. It is about communicating, interacting with others and learning about their life experiences, and immersing oneself in another culture. That is what the study of Spanish has been for me and what we strive to achieve here at Penn Charter.

After graduating from Muhlenberg with a double major in Biology (another area of interest) and Spanish, I enrolled in Middlebury College's Spanish Language School, which allowed me to return to Spain and pursue a Masters degree. Since that time, I eagerly search for ways to travel, but now it is with my students or family. Creating authentic learning experiences for both my own children and students is one of many things that keeps me motivated.

I am proud to have spent the majority of my adult life as a member of the Penn Charter community, a place where I have felt welcomed, supported and known. I began my career here as a Spanish teacher, and eventually grew to lead the Foreign Language Department. Now I serve as the Academic Dean for Curriculum and Professional Development where I support our faculty in their own professional growth. Fortunately, like most administrators here, I still teach one course. Engaging with students and supporting them as they explore new topics is truly a highlight of each day.

When I am not at Penn Charter, I enjoy spending time with my wife and three children, running (preferably outdoors), reading and watching television programs in Spanish and English, and traveling, as evidenced by the picture above.