Today we’d like to introduce you to Evelyn Brooks.
Hi Evelyn, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
My journey started 49 years ago when I was born with a pencil in my hand. I was called to be a teacher. My greatest gift is understanding the needs and troubles of children within minutes of first meeting them. Teaching and leading young people is a lifestyle for me. At the age of eleven years old, I started teaching my young children how to read prior to starting kindergarten. I taught children how to read using newspapers and magazines. I gave them a foundation in short and long vowel sounds and then gradually consonant sounds. I would cut up words and take each sound apart for children to sound out, and soon, each one became an independent reader. At the time, I didn’t realize that I was using the Phono-Graphix method. All parents can teach their very own children how to read using the exact same method.
My journey as a teachers first began in Hyattsville, Maryland, where I served as a first-grade teacher at John Carroll Elementary. I started in the middle of the year, and boy, was it terribly hard! The teacher of 35 years had enough and called it quits. She retired and left everything she used for the past 35 years in that classroom. It was overwhelming to say the least. It was my start. I specialize in English, language arts, reading, writing, and speaking; I had an awesome time teaching in the classroom! I went on to teach for Denver Public Schools for five years before teaching in Fairfax County Public Schools. After having my first daughter, Ashlynn, I became a homemaker and eventually became a homeschooler. I had the privilege of teaching my two daughters, Ashlynn and Brianna, how to read, which is the greatest honor and achievement in my life. You see, if a child can read, they’re equipped with the foundation to succeed in every subject. I gave my children and so many other children the gift of reading.
Today, I serve as one of the elected representatives on the Texas State Board of Education, I represent District 14. District 14 includes the following counties: Bosque, Clay, Comanche, Coryell, Eastland, Ellis, Erath, Hamilton, Hill, Jack, McLennan, Mills, Montague, Navarro, Palo Pinto, Wise, and parts of Dallas, Denton, and Johnson counties; I also serve a Mentor/Mentee facilitator with Foundation for CHOICE. I work on their Toyota E3 partnership with a middle school in West Dallas; I have the privilege of encouraging young people to go all the way to realize their dreams and talent.
My background expands way beyond the classroom, homeschooling, and the Texas State Board of Education. I have volunteered countless hours revitalizing communities in underprivileged communities, helping churches, leading students at YMCA Youth and Government homeless shelters, and send students in Port-au-Prince, Haiti to middle and high school,
I have a heart for children, families, and people from all nations. This is just a little bit of who I am.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Some of the struggles that I have experienced along the way were the difficulties of reaching children with behavior and emotional issues and ignoring what people say and believe about me. Social media can be brutal at times, and it’s important to be mentally and emotionally strong and to keep a positive attitude. The source of my mental and emotional strength totally come from my faith. In addition, as a working and busy mother, it gets difficult to be everything that I need to me both in my home and as a servant leader.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I spoke earlier about the type of work that I do. I am most proud of the accomplishments of my two daughters. Ashlynn is a neuroscience major in her first year of college, and Brianna is soon to become a cadet at United States Air Force Academy. Both are hard workers with a heart for service. What sets me apart from others is my willingness to do all that I can do to help change the lives of people by giving the joy of learning and love to every child and person that I meet.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, there was a lot of joy and laughter in my home. I grew up as a pastor’s kid, and I was quite the rebel growing up! I was strong-willed and always had purpose and drive in life. I knew at an early age that I was born to teach, and it became my motivation to do well in school. I was a teacher’s favorite student and the world’s greatest pest to my siblings. I kept a tidal wave of excitement and trouble in my home. I grew up helping to lead a lot of community revitalization programs and initiatives in Denver, Colorado. I started a Rainbow Awareness Club in high school to celebrate multiculturalism and to promote awareness of the beauty of diversity. I competed in oratorical contests, talent shows, and beauty pageants that ultimately led me to be becoming Miss Black Colorado at the age of 18. I had an aunt who helped develop my love for children by allowing me to shadow her at her daycare center for years. By the age of ten, I was able to run the administration duties at our small church alongside my Aunt Rosemary.
I was very interested in reading and sneaking into things that I had no business snooping into. I drank water out the garden hose, climbed up trees, had quite an imagination, and loved watching cartoons on Saturday mornings. I had very humble beginnings, and my parents and grandparents taught me how to be proud of who I am as a Black American and to always remember where I came from.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://tea.texas.gov/about-tea/leadership/state-board-of-education/sboe-board-members/sboe-member-district-14
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/evelynbeauman-brooks
- Other: https://www.facebook.com/evelyn4texaseducation/
