As a parent, grandmother, teacher, writer, and art instructor, her many activities and occupations have provided her windows to watch the community grow and prosper. Although she is not a resident Brenda Gargus has been part of the North Jefferson Community for many years in different ways.

Graduating from the University of Alabama with a Master’s in education and an undergraduate degree in psychology in the early 80s, she used her education to pursue her great love of teaching and working with exceptional education students.

Finding ways to reach out

Working in education for the past 30+ years she has taught at Pleasant Grove High School, Mortimer Jordan, Gardendale High School, and the Burkette Center. She also has provided instruction for art classes at the Gardendale Hobby Lobby and the Gardendale Public Library, she has found the people in North Jefferson are caring, friendly, and eager to contribute to a better community.

Teaching and writing

Writing has always been something she has enjoyed.  Writing for several magazines and different online websites, she has been excited and proud to see her writing used not only for enjoyment but as a resource in education as well. While teaching in Jefferson county and working with students with behavior and emotional issues, she completed and published two teacher-instruction books. 

Since those early books, she has published a fictional love story and an anthology of short stories about growing up in the south. This past September, she completed and published an anthology of short stories about growing up in the south. The book is currently offered on Amazon and can be found in local libraries.

Still finding ways to reach others

She loves spending time with her family,  enjoying her beautiful grandkids, reading, traveling, and music. She attends Church 29:11 in Morris. She can still be found teaching art classes in Gardendale, working with students in various outlets, finding time to be involved in the community, and writing articles for the North Jefferson Post.