This year Brilla celebrates its tenth anniversary. In April, we celebrated four special staff members who have been with Brilla since its founding year in 2013. See interviews with each of them below!
The four founding staff members you will meet below embody the commitment to excellence and dedication to our Brilla families that every Brilla staff member pledges to when they join the Brilla family.
What are some of your favorite memories from your ten years at Brilla?
One memory that sticks out to me is the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Brilla in 2013. It was a confirmation of all of our hard work coming to fruition, and it was the final validation that all of the work that we did over the summer was paying off. We had everything we needed: children, families, and a beautiful building. Another cherished memory is the State of the Schools event we had this past January. It served as a powerful reminder of all the progress we’ve made. Now, as we celebrate our 10th anniversary, it brings me great joy.
How have you grown with Brilla over the course of these ten years?
Working at Brilla has been a transformative experience for me. I started my journey in Operations, and through dedication and hard work, I have now risen to the position of Executive Director. As the network Director of Operations, I had the privilege of overseeing the expansion of our school network and taking charge of crucial functions such as student and staff recruitment and human resources.
One of the most valuable lessons I have learned at Brilla is the significance of people. At Brilla, we recognize that people work for people. This principle has become the cornerstone of our organization. We place a strong emphasis on building relationships and understanding that each person has their own unique journey. This understanding has been invaluable, especially during challenging times. It reminds us to always consider the perspective of others and approach situations with empathy and compassion.
One way we demonstrate our commitment to the people we serve is through Home Visits. By personally visiting the homes of our community members, we show them that we are walking alongside them, unafraid of the challenges they may face. We want them to know that we share their experiences and are dedicated to supporting them in every way possible.
What has kept you at Brilla for ten years?
I am committed to staying as long as our actions align with our words. The minute that I feel that our mission statement and the ethos of our organization are just words and don’t carry any weight, I will leave. The reason I remain is because I genuinely believe that we are actively working towards everything we have set out to achieve. While we have not yet accomplished all our goals, and there is much more to be done, I firmly believe that our organization consistently strives for improvement. Our unwavering dedication to providing children with the education they deserve is a rarity in many places. It is this genuine concern and desire for progress that motivates me to stay. I am driven by a strong sense of purpose, and everything I do must hold significance. Brilla and Seton are organizations deeply rooted in the principle of doing right by others, and that resonates with me profoundly. That’s why I am still here.
What are some of your favorite memories from your ten years at Brilla?
The Mott Haven Celebrations are some of my favorite memories. There is always a dunk tank, and I enjoyed getting dunked by families and students. The FIC families collected money for votes, and it was inspiring to see them raise funds for the schools while building joy and competition between families. The students were having a blast, the families were having a blast, and the staff were in service of the community in a joyful way. Every Mott Haven Celebration is one of my favorite events, and I’m so elated we are bringing them back. There is incredible intentionality that goes into promoting it, fostering joy, and reliving it afterward. The event invigorates the community in and outside of the school building.
Other events that I enjoy are those that blend the mission with culture. I have such a great time at Lucky Day each year. We get to dress up, compete, and celebrate literacy. Academics and the mission come to life! I also love the Winter Olympics because we take a break from academics to celebrate physical well-being and character growth. Students get to model their virtues through authentic experiences. These events are intentionally created to bring our mission to fruition in a way that the entire school community can enjoy!
How have you grown with Brilla over the course of these ten years?
My role has never been the same. Each year I have had a different position with new learnings and challenges. I have learned so many things personally and professionally over the years. As Brilla has changed, I have changed with it. I’ve transitioned from teacher to grade lead, to Principal, and now to Network Leader. With each new role, I have been blessed to be able to have a more significant impact on the communities I love so much. With the mission as a guide, I have also grown intellectually, socially, and physically into a person of good character and spirit with the students, families, and staff I serve.
What has kept you at Brilla for ten years?
The family piece is something I really care about – serving our students, families, and staff. I really believe in the mission, and it is not something that comes to life in one year. It takes time to get there, and I’ve enjoyed the journey of building and collaborating through these years. I feel empowered here as a teacher, learner, and human. For me, working at Brilla is a vocation; it is not a 9-5 job; it is a lifestyle. It is my responsibility as a proud of the Bronx to continue to instill the values and knowledge that have been continuously imparted to me in the Bronx.
What are some of your favorite memories from your ten years at Brilla?
One of my favorite memories is from when I taught Kindergarten and worked with a student who had various academic needs. He wasn’t able to write his name for months and it was a huge accomplishment for him when he did. Such a small moment felt so big; a testament to what hard work and dedication can accomplish. I even developed a close relationship with the family, which has lasted for now 9 years!.
Another memory that stands out to me was after an EPIC game, which is a staff event at the beginning of the school year. After the game, we all went to a restaurant, and we filled the entire space. It was beautiful. This moment stands out because I came to Brilla from another charter network where people did not spend time together after work. I was really seeking that deeper connection with my colleagues and was so glad to find that at Brilla. It is a memory that will always stick with me.
How have you grown with Brilla over the course of these ten years?
At Brilla, things change from year to year, as we continue to grow and flourish. I started at Brilla ten years ago as a classroom teacher, then I became a Grade & Content Lead, from there an Assistant Principal, and now I serve as Principal. All of these experiences, and the guidance from phenomenal co-workers around me made me the leader I am today.
What has kept you at Brilla for ten years?
The amazing people have kept me at Brilla all these years. All our staff are dedicated to the holistic well-being of our students. That has been a constant at Brilla. This reflects Brilla’s commitment to hiring great people who care deeply about our students’ flourishing. The educators at Brilla are constantly fighting to do great work with our kids. I look forward to seeing Brilla evolve in the next ten years.
What are some of your favorite memories from your ten years at Brilla?
My very first day at Brilla ten years ago was difficult. I found it challenging to manage thirty students, which I had never done before. It tested my desire to teach, and I thought perhaps teaching wasn’t for me. Yet, something happened to me that day. I realized these kids deserved something better, and I couldn’t give up on the first day. After that, I dedicated myself to developing a plan for managing their behavior and making Martial Arts class fun and engaging. Day one was the hardest for me because my first class was on the stage and in their homerooms. However, on the second day, I was given my own classroom and it allowed me to set my room up in a way that will allow my students to focus and be successful in learning in Martial Arts. Having my students walk through my doors and feel like they are not in a classroom but a Karate dojo was a great experience because I was able to see a side of my students that is not often seen in the classroom. It allowed me to see students feeling proud and empowered through Martial Arts.
Another great memory I cherish was the 2015 Mott Haven Celebration. My students did their Martial Arts performance and it was amazing. Many of these students who have moved on to high school to this day, express their memories of Mott Haven and how they felt like a superhero performing their karate moves and breaking boards in front of their family and friends. This memory means a lot to me because the students demonstrated courage and inspired other kids on what excellence looks like on a big scale. They showed that anyone can be as awesome as them if they work hard and show dedication.
How have you grown with Brilla over the course of these ten years?
I am a different person than I was when I started. Brilla has taught me so much about being an excellent educator. Brilla has opened doors for me to hone my expertise and has provided me with opportunities to pursue leadership. Teaching will always be my first love, and I am thankful to Brilla for allowing me to showcase the value of Martial Arts. I have taught so many different kids with different learning abilities, which challenged me to connect creatively with each child. I have learned to be patient with kids and that my actions and presence can impact them profoundly. My goal is always to teach scholars to be better individuals with good character and spirit.
What has kept you at Brilla for ten years?
The love of Martial Arts has kept me here. There is no other charter school that offers Martial Arts. There have been a lot of changes over the years and sometimes it can be hard to adapt to constant change. However, I see change as a way to grow as a professional. It is a challenge that allows me to learn something new about myself and about the school. One major contributing factor that kept me at Brilla for ten years are the kids. I love giving inspiration to kids and helping them reach their full potential through Martial Arts.
Brilla Public Charter Schools 