Nestled in the bustling heart of the Bronx, Brilla Public Charter Schools seeks to nurture students to radiate their brilliance. — Brilla is a testament to the transformative power of committing to building community and academic excellence. At the helm of Brilla Schools cultivating this educational experience for our students are our Principals, whose unwavering dedication and inspiring leadership bring to life the Brilla ethos.
For this edition of The Perch, we interviewed our exceptional Principals and delved into the essence of “Why Brilla?”. Each response to three questions echoed a resounding theme of commitment to holistic education, belief in the potential of every child, and admiration for the vibrant community that defines Brilla.
1. What sets Brilla apart from other schools?
Dr. Denise McCrummen, principal at Brilla College Prep Elementary School, with over three decades of educational experience, underscores Brilla’s distinctiveness in its holistic approach to education: “I have worked in education for 36 years in four different states, so I have seen many programs. Brilla is the first school/network I have worked for that truly focuses on the scholar’s character in tandem with the scholar’s academics.” Brilla strategically implements character-building moments from K-8 throughout the day, including the Morning Message in Bird Call, the curriculum in our Character Block, making virtue connections in Read Aloud and during Quietest Moment of the Day. Our Community Circles on Fridays celebrate character growth in our Four Core Virtues as well as provide time for reflection on the virtue of the week. This focus will prepare scholars to be successful in all aspects of their lives. Not every school does this.
Mr. Patrick McGowan, founding principal at Brilla Veritas Middle School, further commented: At Brilla, our approach to education transcends traditional boundaries, embodying a holistic vision that places families at the forefront of the learning journey. We recognize that families are the primary educators and thus prioritize forging strong partnerships with them. This collaborative ethos extends to our rigorous character education program, which is seamlessly woven into every aspect of our curriculum.
The quality and warmth of the people are also equally key and central for Ms. Patricia Sánchez, principal at Brilla Veritas Elementary: “It is the people, the students, staff, and families that make Brilla a special place. Here, you will be greeted with warmth, encouragement, and joy. It’s a privilege to work with our amazing staff, partner with our dedicated parents, and service our talented scholars.”
2. Where do you see brilliance at Brilla?
Mr. Will Scott, principal at Brilla College Prep Middle, sees brilliance in the students’ passage presentations, a culmination of their journey at Brilla, reflecting on their growth and learning. “Every Brilla student, as a graduation requirement, must complete a Passage Presentation. They must reflect on their time at Brilla by tying the work they have done while at Brilla to the Transcendentals–Truth, Beauty, and Goodness. After completing this presentation, they must present it to at least one family member and one teacher. I know that this culmination of the work that many of our students have been doing since Kindergarten is both joyful and emotional. Our students’ brilliance shines through in their reflection on their time at Brilla.”
On the other hand, Mr. Shingi Mutasa, founding principal of Brilla Pax Elementary, drawing from his years of teaching experience, highlights Brilla’s instructional leaders’ hard work and collaboration with one another: “I see brilliance at Brilla in how our instructional leaders effectively collaborate with one another and coach our teachers to excellence. There is clear cohesion between key instructional domains (Literacy, Math & Student Services) and a pervasive culture of high expectations and urgency.”
While Mr. Mutasa acknowledges that the school faces constraints and challenges, he admires how, in his words, “our leaders are able to effectively implement fluid coaching structures that are responsive to student achievement data and directed by teacher goals and clear accountability structures. All while being continuously evaluated in relation to our network strategic priorities.”
For others, like Mrs. Elizabeth Berger, principal at Brilla Caritas Elementary, brilliance is shown right at the start of the day! “Brilliance happens once you walk through the doors of Brilla Caritas. First thing in the morning, all scholars are together as a community in Bird Call to celebrate each other, go to college, and start the day with our virtue of the week to work towards.” But it’s not only during the morning, it’s an all day affair, as she continues, “Every block of the day starts with a chant, cheer, song, or dance, which starts each lesson with joy and excitement for what will be learned today. Students have so many different answers when I ask “What was your favorite thing today?” from reading a new book or learning a new skill in math.”
3. What drew you to Brilla?
Dr. Denisse McCrummen stated “I wanted to reground myself in my “why” for pursuing education as a career and join a network that was truly scholar-centered. The Mission resonated with me as I read it over and over and the interview process only confirmed that the staff of Brilla have a deep conviction to not only the mission but also to our scholars/families to deliver the best educational experience in the Bronx.”
Mr. Shingi Mutasa said, “What drew me to Brilla is what keeps me at Brilla. The belief (and practices) that ALL children can learn and how we need a holistic approach to education that will lead to true flourishing for now and beyond. This is dignifying and just. In addition, and equally as important, the belief that our people matter and we need to love them just as much as we love our children. An African proverb says, “he who hunts alone gets eaten.” Effective collaboration and teamwork are what will help us achieve our ambitious goals.”
Mr. Patrick McGowan commented, “The profound sense of purpose and community at Brilla captured my attention. It was abundantly clear that Brilla is more than just a school; it’s a vibrant tapestry of individuals united by a shared commitment to educational excellence and community building. This palpable sense of purpose and passion resonated deeply with me, compelling me to choose Brilla.”
Mrs. Elizabeth Berger added, “When visiting Brilla Caritas for the first day, I fell in love with the deep connection teachers have with scholars. So many teachers in this community have been here since day one and have been a part of scholars’ growth and development through the years they have been here, which means every student has so many cheerleaders in their corner!
Mr. Will Scott remarked “What drew me to Brilla was its unique place in the charter world. I have worked in charter schools for a decade, and to my knowledge, nothing like Brilla exists. In particular, the connection to classical education drew me to Brilla. I believe deeply in classical education as well as in charter schools and to find that both exist in Brilla was a huge draw and part of why I stay.”
Ms. Patricia Sánchez finished “Brilla makes a lasting impact on anyone who is or once was a member of our community. I was fortunate enough to befriend a member of Brilla who exemplified how wonderful the people who make this community are. All the staff members want the best for our students and our families. Families are committed to collaborating with staff for the benefit of our students. The genuine love of learning and joy in working at Brilla drew me most to join.”
In essence, Brilla is more than just a place worth staying for its academic excellence or its innovative approach to education. It is a place where a sense of purpose, collaboration, and community are combined with the professionalism, love, and devotion of the Principals and staff. At Brilla, every member of the community—students, educators, and families alike—is valued, respected, and believed in. It’s this shared commitment to educational excellence and community building that makes Brilla not just a school but a home—a place where every individual can thrive and shine brightly as they pursue their educational journey.
Brilla Public Charter Schools 