Staff Spotlight: Michera Brooks, Executive Director

Q&A with Michera

What do you do for Leadership ISD?

As Leadership ISD’s executive director, I get to utilize my expertise in strategic visioning, planning, and implementation to guide the organization’s direction and impact. I also work to secure and align key resources while maximizing LISD’s capacity to empower communities to advance educational equity. I am a North Texas native who has worked at the intersection of education and access to opportunity for nearly 20 years, so I know systemic change requires collective vision and effort and that is what makes me so excited about our work in this region. I love collaborating with incredible people across North Texas to build an educational ecosystem that prepares all students to achieve their boldest dreams.

Why are you passionate about educational equity and what motivates you in your work?

I'm passionate about this work because education creates agency. It creates the ability to choose your path in life and not just be resigned to whatever opportunities come your way.

All educations are not equal and making sure that students have high-quality instruction so that they can tell their own story and make their own way has motivated me since I was young. As I've become a parent, I'm motivated by knowing that my own young Black son is on the precipice of going through his own educational journey. I want his experience and that of all kids, particularly those who have been historically underserved and marginalized, to be fundamentally different and more equitable than before.

Why do school boards have such a big impact on education?

I've worked in education for pretty much my entire adult career, and for much of that, I didn't realize the impact of school boards and school board governance. I just didn't know. But, it is so crucial and so essential. I'm grateful to be a part of one of the very few organizations working to equip school board trustees and trustee candidates to govern effectively and make decisions that benefit every child. The need is so real and the impact is so great. 

Do you have a story you want to share from your work with LISD?

At one of Civic Voices sessions earlier this year, a teacher at Thomas Jefferson High School shared about the trajectory of his life and how it was impacted by his education. The passion he has is what I want for every student. He is the embodiment of what we're working toward–a kid who grew up and was able to write his own path and direct his own journey. He spoke with such passion, and that's what we want for every single child, no matter what journey they choose. 

When would you say was the most influential time in your education? 

My fifth-grade teacher at Nathan Adams Elementary, Ms. Webber, decided that she wanted to expose her students to more of the world and more of the country's history. So, she took my class to Washington DC for a week. I still don’t know how she managed to do this, but she did. We saw the Air and Space Museum and we saw artwork and galleries and it just was unbelievable. We stayed in hotels and we went out to eat and it was an exercise in participating in the world, in learning about the world, and in seeing ourselves as people who could change and impact the world. That feeling and belief that I have the power to make a difference has stuck with me and continues to influence the way I approach my life and career.  

What advice would you offer a current fifth-grader student? 

Understand the importance of what you're learning and how it can help you achieve your dreams. 

You're growing, you're more independent, you have a stronger sense of self, you're questioning things, and the things you are learning are forming the foundation of who you are growing into. Value, respect, and lean into that because it is essential.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I love spending time with family and spending time with my son Lucas. He's really into Legos, and one of our favorite things to do is build Legos together. 

I also love spending time in nature–biking, walking, hiking, and running, when I can. White Rock Lake is one of my favorite places in Dallas. There's a playground up on a hill that overlooks the lake and I love taking Lucas there. 

Michera at a Civic Voices Session with our Tarrant County team, Twyla and Ken.