ABOUT EPIC
Meet Bri
I am the Founder & Lead Special Education Coach at EPIC Special Education Consulting, LLC and a proud graduate of an HBCU.
I am driven by the love of my two little Black Boys to mold educational systems into a place where they (and everyone who looks and/or has experiences like them) can thrive while being who they authentically are. I am obsessed with instructional coaching, equity, and the creation of the foundational structures that will ensure the sustainability of high-quality Special Education Programs. I do it all while listening to ‘I’m So Blessed’ by Cain and dreaming about the next local restaurant I can explore.
THE WHOLE STORY
I grew up in Houston, Texas and am a graduate of local Houston schools. My mom made sure I was always in a Magnet program. At the time, it wasn’t because she was seeking an equitable education, she just knew that her oldest daughter needed a “fighting chance” at a good life, and she was determined to do her part to make sure it happened. In first grade, I met Ms. Martin and decided that I wanted to do what she did. She was my first example of a teacher who looked like me and who looked out for me. She saw me squinting to see the chalkboard, so she moved me to the front. I didn’t know that she called my mom to tell her that, and that was the reason I got my first pair of glasses.
I am a Black Houston girl
I went on to graduate from the Honors College at Texas Southern University with a B.A. in Public Relations and Advertising.
2006
Right after graduation, I went into the public school system to become a Special Education Teacher. I had no idea what I was getting into and that it would become my life’s passion, but I appreciate Bobby, Irma and Troy for taking a chance on me. After a year co-teaching in English, my principal wanted me to teach Math. (But I majored in Communications?!) She was the first person who saw something in me that I didn’t see for myself at the time. Secondary Math became my niche. After that year, I became SpEd Department Chair and a Behavior Teacher. I was often sent the students who were the most troubled, and I reached every single one of them through the relationships I built. I saw them as the children that they were, who needed to be taught basic skills in order to function. I fought to have them included in the class after the teacher kicked them out for being disrespectful. Ma’am, you do realize that in addition to this being illegal, you are robbing them of the very education that you come give to every other “well-behaved” student?! I’m sorry, but we aren’t going to do that. Not today and not to these.
Those boys in my behavior class showed me my life’s purpose – fighting against educational inequity. Together, we affirmed what I already believed – when given the appropriate supports and opportunities, every student can excel.
The Early Fight for Equity in Special Education
2010
I went on to earn my master’s degree in Educational Administration and became a Special Education Manager.
During my time as SpEd Manager, I also became a Mommy for the first time. When my first son was born, it completely shifted my view of the work I was doing Special Education and made it deeply personal because most of the children in my program looked like my son. I saw how some teachers treated those boys and I imagined that being the treatment of my son. Much of what I saw was completely unacceptable. And not illegal, but the mindsets with which they approached my students, their lack of expectations or complete misalignment with understanding their needs – it was unacceptable. It became my mission to create a program that was excellent enough for my son, if he ever needed it.
My campus consistently ranked in the top 25% of campuses for student achievement in SpEd and in culture. My students loved coming to school and they were growing! We were one of the first schools in the system to launch cohorts and to start a Life Skills unit.
I loved being a Special Education Manager
As a SpEd Manager, I completed the REEP Program at Rice University for School Leaders. It was there I learned how to disrupt the systems that maintained oppression. It was then that I began to understand that the allocation of resources was a lever in finding equity.
2013
Shortly thereafter, the only other role that would make me consider a move became available and I transitioned into a system leadership role as a SpEd Curriculum and Assessment Specialist. This was the opportunity to begin cross-functional collaboration with the people who created the curriculum and ensure that the elements of Universal Design for Learning were embedded, creating access to appropriately rigorous instructions for all students.
Disrupting the Systems that upheld Inequity
MAKING EPIC MOVES
After two years of transformational change for the organization as a SpEd Curriculum Specialist, I moved into the role of Director of Special Education, acquired my certification as a Superintendent in the state of Texas, and launched EPIC Special Education Consulting.
I saw that the SpEd teachers and leaders needed instructional coaching, but the campus leaders also needed foundational systems and structures to support the work, because there was no way such a small set of people could close those gaps alone. I needed to use my expertise to change mindsets, build skill and increase capacity so that the work we did with teachers could be leveraged for many years as they continued to grow their content knowledge and return year after year.
EPIC Special Education consulting exists to accelerate the growth and capacity of secondary SpEd Team leaders’ ability to create an inclusive learning environment
for their teams by building their skill in SpEd Instructional Coaching via a Train the Trainer model, thus enabling them to execute equitable professional development opportunities resulting in increased effectiveness in planning and execution of lessons that yield higher student achievement results.
Core values are the anchors that guide my leadership and decision-making. They are what I will always return to when considering the needs of those I serve.
EQUITY
Even if it is not fair or equal, centering the needs of those who are historically marginalized ensures their individual needs are met in the least restrictive environment.
POSITIVITY
There is always a testimony on the other side of an obstacle or barrier. Always consider the lesson in the trial and look to the learning that will happen once overcome the obstacle you face now. Live a life of positivity.
INCLUSIVITY
Intentionally and thoughtfully providing equal access to opportunities and resources to those who might otherwise be excluded – especially those with disabilities.
COMPASSION
An invisible disability is still a disability and there are areas of a disabled person’s life that are impacted beyond what I may ever know or understand.
Live life with compassion because you never know how your kindness and compassion can positively impact the life of another.
Let’s work together.
EPIC Special Education consulting exists to accelerate the growth and capacity of secondary SpEd Team leaders’ ability to create an inclusive learning environment.