The School That Could: The Edward J. Briscoe Elementary School Story

By Dr. Jennifer Giddings Brooks

If you want to go FAST
Go ALONE.
If you want to go FAR
Go TOGETHER.
African Proverb

The Briscoe Elementary School Success Story is a walk through a high poverty (97%) school where administrators and teachers believe that a child’s zip code should not dictate his or her academic success. Educators and aspiring educators at all levels should read this book. It provides a road map that demonstrates unequivocally what dedication, mastery teaching, high expectations, empathy and love can do for students, parents and staff. The Briscoe family of administrators, teachers and ancillary personnel show what can happen when a caring family of professionals has a “No Excuses” philosophy. The results of this belief is that every child becomes a child of promise.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Apr 26, 2022
• ISBN: 9781669810087

Book preview

Copyright © 2022 by Dr. Jennifer Giddings Brooks.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 04/26/2022

Xlibris

844-714-8691

www.Xlibris.com

824770

To my husband, Roy;

my children, Royce and Marion;

and to my Briscoe family—for their love and for sharing

my belief that each child is a story yet to be told

CONTENTS

Foreword

Preface

Acknowledgments

The School That Could: The Edward J. Briscoe Elementary School Story

Appendix A

Appendix B

Appendix C

Appendix D

Appendix E

Appendix F

Appendix G

Appendix H

Appendix I

Appendix J

Appendix K

Appendix L

Appendix M

Appendix N

Appendix O

References

Foreword

In case I am not able to attend the reception for Dr. Jennifer Brooks, I would like to leave a few words of recognition and thanksgiving to Jennifer.

I have always felt a kind of kinship with Jennifer because of the common challenges we shared as Elementary School Initiative (ESI) principals. Only those who have faced obstacles that are inherent in attempting to change the learning culture of a school community that has been underprivileged and undeserved can fully understand what an awesome undertaking it is. Paraphrased: Few of us have walked in her shoes!

Jennifer has accepted the challenge for many years and done it with an excellence that few have ever matched. Dr. Brooks has managed to transform her school community from one of ignorance and apathy into one that is a model of what can be achieved with dedicated, caring, and empowered teachers and staff. She has always been one who believed in the potential of her teachers, students, and parents. She has demonstrated the ability to take novice teachers from the Midwest and groom them into outstanding urban educators; many who are campus leaders today. Briscoe Elementary has been a high-performing campus for several years now. Her leadership, however, encompasses more than mere student achievement, though that in itself is remarkable.

Dr. Brooks also has been an encourager to young parents, a mentor to young teachers, and a servant to the general community. The drive, vision, and passion Dr. Brooks has demonstrated will leave a tremendous void, one that this school district and school community will not easily replace. For those of you who have had the privilege of serving alongside this great educator, I ask that you continue the legacy that has been birthed in you through your association with her. Please do not forget about the children. Remember what she has taught you, and please do not forget the children. To Jennifer, I say: May God continue to richly bless you and your family, for us all (those of us present and those who cannot be) have been blessed by knowing you and serving the children with you. We have cheered for you, supported you, fought with you, and now we rejoice with you. I know that you will find a way to continue to contribute to your community, for your passion is too strong to contain. You have my best wishes and regards, but most importantly—my sincerest thanks.

With deepest admiration.

Robert Ray

Assistant Superintendent

Elementary School Management

Fort Worth Independent School District

Current Position: Deputy Superintendent

Program Efficiency, Effectiveness, and Sustainability

Fort Worth Independent School District (Retired)

Preface

Multiple years have passed from the completion of the first draft of this book to the publishing date. During this time, many of my biggest supporters have transitioned this life and are now in heaven with the ancestors. Today as I write this preface, I think of them and hold their memories in my heart. I can also hear them offering their words of congratulations followed by a spirited You did it!

It was a privilege to work at Briscoe Elementary School with such a caring group of educators who daily went above and beyond what was required to ensure student success. It didn’t matter what subject was being taught, the focus was always on using the best research-based data available. The data were used in lessons that connected real-world learning and exposure to what was being taught in the classroom. The instructional practices used at Briscoe were best practices that were successful then and can be successful now. They are timeless.

Since beginning this book, I have been lucky to have been surrounded by friends who unselfishly provided me with the encouragement I needed to complete this project and others—Glenda, Marnese, DeVoyd, Joe, Kristin, Tobi, and Artie—thank you! A special thank-you to I. M. Terrell student Sooter Sachs, a future artist with great potential.

The health pandemic that we are currently in will change education for many years to come. Along with these changes, there are daily uncertainties to face. But even with the uncertainties, there are some outstanding young educational leaders who go to work each and every day and make a difference. Because of their dedication and commitment, the future of education is bright. They make me proud!

The year 2021 is a year that we will all remember for as long as we live. When I think about what we are going through, I am reminded of these words by Bernadette Smith: We will get through this by seeing every challenge as an opportunity to better service others. It starts with accepting that the world is bigger than what is right in front of us. Because the world is bigger than what is in front of us, I am pleased to be able to say that this long-awaited book has been published and the mike has now finally been dropped (President Barack Obama).

In conclusion, to the year 2021, I say thanks for the lessons you taught us—we are happy to see you go. To the year 2022, I say welcome—we are excited about what you will bring. To the community stakeholders and educators reading this book, I offer the following: Love and kindness are needed in the life of a child. We need to love our children today and teach them tomorrow (Jeffrey Holland). The celebration of a new year gives special meaning to Mr. Holland’s words, and as advocates for children, we must never forget that every child is a story yet to be told.

Acknowledgments

I have many people to thank, especially my husband, Roy, and my children, Royce and Marion. You have always supported and shared me with the other children, causes, and commitments in my life—without complaining.

I must also thank my parents, Dartrell and Lizzie Giddings, and parents-in-law, Marion J. (MD) and Marie Brooks, for offering encouraging words and a gentle push when I needed to keep moving.

To my brother Eric; my sisters and brothers-in-law: Marian (Mae), Carol, Marie, Gene (MD), Renée and Clarence (Jackie) (MD); and my cousins Gary, Shirley, Maynard, Michael (MD) and Patricia (Pat), who along with their spouses and children took the time to cheer for me and celebrate the many milestones of this journey. To my aunts Ola, Ora, and Vellar, for encouraging me all my life and telling me that I can do anything. Your words have made life’s challenges easier to face and successes easier to celebrate.

To Janet, we became friends when we began to talk about our love for playing the piano on the stage at Albert Sidney Johnston School in eighth grade. Thank you for your years of friendship and for providing me with some unforgettable Bay Area experiences.

My friends Hardy Ray (PhD) and Lynette, thank you for always being there when I need you. I look forward to my yearly Evanston visit. To my dear friend Jan, I appreciate your phone calls and the efforts you make to see me during my visits to Evanston.

To my goddaughter Tyler for keeping in touch. I also love the way you, Dennis, Reese, and Paula (EdD) make New York come to life for me when I am in town. To Jacqueline and Monita, I have seen you grow from girls to women. You wear your many hats with dignity. You make me proud. Sheryl, I appreciate your friendship. I will never forget our many European adventures. To Shirley and Milton, Pam and Reginald thank you for the many friendship and birthday memories.

To Cathy and Mary Etta, for keeping me in the information loop. You make my visits to DC special. I appreciate your phone calls. Marsha, your weekly phone call to check on my mother or another family member will never be forgotten. To Sherelyn, Joyce, Elizabeth, Bill (PhD), Freddie, Mama Clara, Gerald, Candace, John, Andy, and Jimmy, your friendship is invaluable to me and the entire Brooks family.

To the members of the Fort Worth Links Family, including Connecting Links and Heir-o-Links, and to my Link sisters across the