Brunella Pommelhorst is a Physical Education teacher at Springfield Elementary School. She has blonde hair and is almost always seen wearing a whistle.
History[]
Ms. Pommelhorst takes a tough-as-nails approach to teaching and to life in general. When a teachers' strike took place at Springfield Elementary, she left her class the moment the strike was called -- even leaving a little girl clinging to gymnastics rings and calling for help[1].
She is also a big fan of Xena: Warrior Princess, to the point that she takes oaths by Xena. One such oath nearly led her to fail Lisa in gym class. However, in a rare break from her tough-as-nails demeanor, Ms. Pommelhorst relented and allowed Lisa to make up her grade by taking private lessons in order to pass gym[2].
Ms. Pommelhorst announced to her students that she was taking a leave of absence to undergo gender reassignment surgery. According to Principal Skinner, she would be returning to the school as Mr. Pommelhorst, the school's new shop teacher[3]. However, she apparently chose not to undergo the surgery after all, as in "Moms I'd Like to Forget", she is seen standing next to Coach Krupt during the brawl that breaks out in the teachers' lounge after Mike insults Bart and the other fourth graders, still a woman.[4]
Trivia[]
- Ms. Pommelhorst's last name is very likely derived from the gymnastics apparatus the pommel horse, which is only used by male gymnasts.
- She replaced the former gym teacher, Ms. Barr. They both look similar, but Ms. Barr has brown hair.
- It is unknown whether or not she still has gender dysphoria. She came out as transgender, yet never identified as a male.
Appearances[]
- Episode – "Stark Raving Dad"
- Episode – "The PTA Disbands" (first mentioned)
- Episode – "Who Shot Mr. Burns? (Part One)"
- Episode – "Little Girl in the Big Ten"
- Episode – "The President Wore Pearls"
- Episode – "Milhouse Doesn't Live Here Anymore"
- Episode – "My Fair Laddy"
- Episode – "The Fool Monty" (name, on rota)
- Episode – "Moms I'd Like to Forget"
- Episode – "The Ned-liest Catch"
- Episode – "Pulpit Friction"
- Episode – "Blazed and Confused" (photo)
- Episode – "Walking Big & Tall"
- Episode – "Diary Queen"
- Episode – "My Octopus and a Teacher"
- Episode – "Game Done Changed"
- – The Simpsons Movie
- Special – "Do the Bartman"
- Comic story – A League of Their Own
- Book – The Book of Moe
- Book – The Simpsons: One Step Beyond Forever
- Book – Simpsons World: The Ultimate Episode Guide, Seasons 1-20