Leadership ISD Heroes: Brittnay Conner ('20)

Across Texas, our Leadership ISD COVID Heroes continue their commitment to equity and excellence for our students. Their commitment inspires us to continue to lean into this work, knowing that while the road ahead is long, the destination is worth our time and energy. Check out this week's LISD Heroes below!

Brittnay Conner

Dallas County, Class of 2020

Educator, Dallas ISD

LISD: WHAT ARE YOU AND YOUR ORGANIZATION CURRENTLY DOING TO RESPOND TO COVID-19?

Brittnay Conner (BC): We are currently providing rental assistance and fresh produce baskets to the families in our community. We are also dropping off care packages for students that include art sets, science activities, and snacks. We are also hosting fun Fridays on Zoom for families and students to participate and have some educational fun together.

LISD:  WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO GET INVOLVED?

BC: I had already built strong relationships with my families throughout the year and I didn't want their amazing growth to be lost or them to be left behind because of circumstances beyond their control. They deserve to receive the best quality education possible.

LISD:  WHY IS WHAT YOU’RE DOING ESSENTIAL TO PUBLIC EDUCATION?

BC: Families and students need to know that their schools care about more than just test scores. Public education has made teachers, students, and families feel that test scores are the only thing that matter. By building and maintaining these relationships we can show that we want to grow the whole child and want them to experience success in every part of their lives.

LISD:  HOW HAS LEADERSHIP ISD PREPARED YOU FOR THIS MOMENT?

BC: Leadership ISD gave me the opportunity to build my networks so that I could leverage assistance from people who wanted to support public education from all over Dallas. LISD connected me with members of the civic voices cohort who were already doing amazing work but weren't very active in my school community. Through the connections, we've been able to work together to serve more families and students.

LISD:  HOW HAS COVID-19 AFFECTED YOUR VIEWS ON HOW WE ADVOCATE MOVING FORWARD?

BC: There is so much more inequity than we ever realized. We have to make the first steps in ensuring parents can help students be successful from home. Giving a laptop or a hot spot isn't enough to ensure students can engage meaningfully. We have to bridge gaps for the whole family.

LISD: WHAT WOULD BE YOUR ADVICE TO OTHERS WHO WANT TO TAKE ACTION IN THIS TIME OF CRISIS? 

BC: Ask and you shall receive. It can be uncomfortable to ask people for donations, assistance, etc,. I've found that people are more than willing to assist, whether it was through a donation, an introduction email, or an invitation to a Zoom call. People are concerned and they want to actively support those in need but they often lack access points to the work. Be that access point. Share the good work that you know is happening.

LISD: WHAT CAN OTHERS DO TO EITHER SUPPORT YOUR WORK OR GET ENGAGED? 

BC: They can always contact me directly though my email, make donations through my school, or donate produce baskets to our families.