Student Testimonials

  • “ Madlen’s impact on my growth as a writer, reader, and person are beyond measure. She taught me the fundamentals of good writing, while also leaving space for me to find my own voice. Her lessons have stood the test of time, guiding me through high school, college, post grad, and now help shape my career in journalism. More than a decade later, Madlen remains one of my all-time favorite teachers.”

    -Catherine O.

  • "Ms. Hulme Brauner is an excellent teacher who always made English such a fun subject for me. While I always had a love for writing and reading, she really helped to cultivate my passion for English and encouraged her students to exercise their creativity. She was not only a great teacher, but she was also a kind and patient person who saw the best in her students. Ms. Hulme Brauner provided the positive and nurturing experience that reinforced my decision to pursue a minor in English and creative writing in college."

    —Katelyn G.

  • "I was a student in Ms. Hulme's class in 7th grade, along with taking multiple after school and summer classes, including creative writing and poetry. She was me and my friends' favorite teacher, so we wanted to sign up for everything! As a Middle Schooler the thing I wanted most was to be treated like a grown up while still being able to have fun and learn, and this was the experience I had in her classes. She emphasized the importance of collaboration and supporting one another. I remember on the first day of 7th grade English when we made a class-wide paper chain representing the responsibility we had to support and encourage each other as we took risks and were vulnerable with our writing. I always felt like Ms. Hulme saw me for who I was and was able to help me build my skills as a writer, a student, and a person, through positive reinforcement and honest feedback. I can guarantee that anyone who signs up for this program will learn a lot, be supported through their growth, and have a ton of fun!"

    - Justina B.

  • "I was privileged enough to have Ms. Hulme as both a teacher and advisor throughout middle school. I can say with the upmost sincerity that Ms. Hulme helped me find my love for reading, and her guidance with my writing was instrumental in my growth as a writer. Her constant support and mentorship gave me the confidence to take risks to be creative in my writing. I am so grateful for the connection I made with Ms. Hulme, as well as her encouragement in helping me find my voice both as a writer and person."

    - Lexi V.

  • "Mrs. Hulme’s seventh grade class is one which I will always remember fondly and cherish. While I was initially a bit nervous about the challenges of middle school, Mrs. Hulme’s encouragement and support helped me feel more confident in my own capabilities. Through the books and writing assignments we read and were assigned, I left her class with a much higher level of self-confidence in both my reading and writing abilities than when I entered. This not only helped me improve academically, but also helped me see myself taking big steps towards becoming an adult and being my own individual."

    —Emily K.

  • "I’ve enjoyed writing since I was a kid, but when I was first exploring creative writing, I struggled to bridge the gap between the ideas floating around in my mind and the words on the page. Ms. Hulme was my first introduction to some of the fundamental tools of creative writing—sensory details, themes and motifs, plot structures, etc. and made them digestible for seventh-grade me. She was incredibly supportive and always struck a balance between offering constructive feedback and uplifting her students. I ended up latching onto creative writing so much that I decided to take up a minor during university to keep growing as a writer! Highly recommend working with her :)"

    — Angie Y.

  • "Working with Ms. (Hulme) Brauner taught me to read voraciously and write unabashedly. I learned to experiment with new writing styles and find my voice, both through experimentation and taking from what I read. Having her as a teacher has been one of the best experiences I could’ve asked for!"

    - Ryan B.

  • "Your class was the first time ever in my academic career that I was given agency in both what I read about and what I wrote about. The journaling we did...provided a fun and engaging way for me to develop my writing, and it was the first big catalyst for my passion for academic English. I've since moved on to be an English minor at Emory. Thank you for the opportunities you provided!"

    — Declan E.

  • "There are some teachers that leave a lasting impression and love of learning on their students. My 7th grade English teacher was one of those to me. Even at 25 I am forever thankful for the encouragement and love of both writing and literature I gained from that class. It is easy to see the care and attention to detail she has for her students."

    - Lauren H.

  • "One thing that separates Mrs. Hulme from other teachers is her commitment to keeping her students engaged. She introduces concepts in fresh, interactive ways and assigns projects that are not only educational, but fun to complete! Even though I was more STEM-oriented and am now majoring in Computer Science in college, I remember always being excited when it was Mrs. Hulme’s class next period, and I am grateful for her support and inclusive classroom!"

    - Darius M.

  • “It was in Mrs. Hulme’s class where I learned the invaluable lesson that writing was more than the repetition of information, and that reading meant more than what was on the page. Looking back, though I can’t say from memory what books we studied or what essays I wrote, the one thing that stands out clear as day is how much of an impression that class had on my passion for literature and reading— all thanks to a fantastic mentor.”

    —Joey C.

  • "Madlen Hulme helped me develop as a writer during one of the most crucial phases in writing development, the middle school years. In her class, I went from being able to put together a paragraph to the ability to write entire essays. Thanks to her help, I'm now a history major at UCLA and write ten page essays like they're nothing!"

    — Gabe M.

  • "I am a student studying global governance, economics and legal order in Barcelona. Reading and writing is a foundational activity in my everyday life. Ms. Hulme sparked a love for both. Her classes always made reading so much fun, and I noticed the meaning behind certain phrases and paragraphs. She made writing fun by comparing well structured phrases and poorly structured sentences making it easy to learn how to write effectively. I definitely grew as a person thanks to Ms. Hulme and her patience and absolute passion as a teacher. I am almost 23, but I still remember her classes very well when I was 12, and if that doesn’t showcase her talent, I don’t know what will. "

    —Sophia S.