After years of soaking in the beauty of Colorado, the ache to go home was strong. Having proved that she could live on her own, meet new people, have a stable job and life, she was missing her family, her city, her people. Katy Branigan was ready to return home.
Seven years ago, Branigan left her hometown of Farmington Hills to move to Colorado and enjoy the great outdoors. Now, she’s returned to Farmington as a part of Farmington High School’s teaching staff. A North Farmington High School graduate, her experience as a former resident and student gives her insight into the community around her.
“I feel because I have a better understanding of where y’all grow up, I feel automatically more connected,” Branigan said.
Branigan moved back to Farmington to be closer to her family, who still live here. While away in Colorado, she would make long trips for holidays and important events to see her family.
“I felt like I was missing out on important time with them,” Branigan said. “Our relationships are better now because it is so easy to spend time together.”
Branigan’s school in Colorado had 4,000 students, which she found “very overwhelming.”
“At Farmington, there is more of a close-knit sense of community with the staff and with the students,” Branigan said.
Branigan described her teaching style as having big expectations for her students, but using humor and personal connection to push them. She values the relationships she builds with her students.
“[My observer in Colorado] called me a warm demander,” Branigan said. “He was like, ‘you keep your standards high and you love them up to the level that they need to be.’”
As an interventionist, Branigan supports the non-cohort 9th and 10th grade English classes by helping specific students. She also teaches her own 9th grade English classes.
Branigan’s favorite part about Farmington is the English department. She said that you can tell when people enjoy their job.
“[Farmington has] a good thing going,” Branigan said. “I’m excited to be a part of it, and I hope this is where I retire from.”
