Brenda Renes Oldenkamp — Language Arts Teacher
Brenda Renes Oldenkamp is a language arts teacher, who is responsible for teaching English grammar, writing, and literature at Alpha Omega Academy. She also answers questions for students on the phone or through the curriculum, and she grades tests, essays, projects, and daily student work. A graduate of Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa, with a degree in English literature and English education, Brenda enjoys bringing her experience in the structure of the English language to her students at AOA.
Born in rural Iowa, Brenda was raised on a dairy farm and is one of seven children. Her parents loved to travel, so she experienced many enriching opportunities to interact with diverse people as a child. Adding a bright, cheerful personality to the English department, Brenda has been teaching at AOA since 2008. She enjoys her working environment and the opportunity to build relationships with her fellow teachers. Brenda also loves helping students learn. "I love it when I see improvement in my students' writing," she said. Kind and warm, Brenda loves to laugh and enjoys the "witty repartee" with her colleagues in her department.
An avid coffee lover, Brenda likes sipping her favorite brew, reading, playing the harp and piano, knitting, creative writing, and watching movies. However, her favorite pastime is spending time with family and friends. Brenda's most prized possession is a stone from the Ogawa River in Japan where she was baptized. She would like to return to Japan to go on an "onsen tour" (going from one end of Japan to the other visiting all the "onsens," natural hot springs). Brenda's favorite food is sushi, her favorite movie is Persuasion, and her favorite TV show is Star Trek: The Next Generation. Brenda's alternative profession choice would be a professional harp performer, and she would like to be remembered as a woman who is faithful, supportive, and loving.