Stevenson, Brynn - Bloomfield Hills School District
Are you an incumbent?
No
Brief Intro of Candidate
My name is Brynn Stevenson and I live in Bloomfield Township. I am a graduate of the University of Detroit Mercy in Legal Administration and I have an Executive MBA from the Eli Broad College of Business at Michigan State University.
Our family relocated to this community eight years ago, primarily drawn by the exceptional educational opportunities. Blessed with two children, we've had the privilege of witnessing their growth starting at the Bloomin' Tots program. Currently, one child attends elementary school, while the other embarks on their middle school journey.
As parents of a neuro-divergent child receiving special education services, we've actively participated in the IEP process. This experience has allowed us to collaborate with educators in finding innovative solutions that cater to unique learners. My husband and I have dedicated our time as Robotics Coaches, actively participating in the broader Robotics program. Our contributions have played a vital role with the Bloomfield Hills Robotics 501c3, ensuring its continued success. As working parents, we've relied on Kidz Zone’s (aka before/after school care) support to ensure our children's well-being and safety.
Throughout my career in law firms as a non-attorney in Risk Management, and now trying my hand at a small business, I have consistently sought opportunities to contribute and make a positive impact. Whether in my personal or professional life, I am driven to be part of the solution rather than merely observe from the sidelines.
During my legal career, I had a unique role interfacing with Clients, Attorneys, Staff including Legal Admins, IT, Accounting, File Clerks, Marketing, and Business Development to create processes that satisfied requirements from all points of view, including compliance with regulations and insurance carrier requirements. My unique work experience in navigating complex, multifaceted problems with competing interests, is transferrable to the working as a School Board Member. I possess a proven track record of optimizing processes, enhancing efficiencies, and minimizing waste while maintaining fiscal responsibility.
I firmly believe in the importance of treating employees well, not only as a matter of ethical obligation but also as a strategic investment in their productivity and loyalty. I recognize that a successful contract is only one where both parties feel satisfied and respected. And I will forever encourage all parties to listen to others points of views, and find common ground enabling us to continue moving forward.
Endorsements
I have been endorsed by Fems for Dems.
Top financials Contributors
Website and social media links
Fems for Dems, and myself.
How would you engage and include parents, caregivers, community members and students in decision-making in your district around things like curriculum, budgeting and district policy?
Achieving successful outcomes for children in education requires respectful and collaborative efforts among all stakeholders. Educational decisions should not be made in isolation. The Bloomfield Hills School District must improve its communication, transparency, and educating of the public regarding the factors influencing its decisions.
To foster greater transparency and accountability, I believe all stakeholders should have enhanced access to School Board Members. This can be achieved through various means, such as regular attendance at school-related events by Board Members, hosting informal gatherings like "Coffee with a Board Member," and providing personalized responses to constituent inquiries via phone or email -- These interactions should avoid generic, impersonal boiler-plate responses and instead engage the public in meaningful dialogue.
On a personal level, I'm committed to responding to phone calls, emails, and texts. My contact information is readily available: BrynnStevenson@gmail.com and cell 248-789-9383. I maintain an open door policy and welcome opportunities to learn from others, hoping this encourages people to feel comfortable approaching me with questions or concerns.
What are your thoughts on school discipline and the way it is exercised in your school district? What are your thoughts on restorative practices?
The complex topic of school discipline necessitates careful consideration. While consequences for poor choices are essential, research suggests that positive reinforcement yields more favorable outcomes than negative reinforcement. Restorative practices, utilized by BHSD, can be an effective tool for students who respond well to this learning style. However, it is important to acknowledge that this approach may not be suitable for all students. In some cases, unintended consequences may arise, allowing aggressors the opportunity to re-victimize their targets.
Statistics show that our implicit biases can inadvertently negatively affect the rate at which minority students are punished, leading to school-to-prison-pipelines. Students with disabilities often experience similar disparities with disciplinary actions as minority students. In order to provide environments that set up ALL students for success, it is critical that beyond a verbal commitment, we actually walk-the-walk with our actions, demonstrating allyship, having diversity reflected in staff, training staff on implicit bias, monitoring punishment rates across demographics, while employing increased numbers of Counselors and Social Workers, and supporting programs like peer-to-peer so that all students have friends.
Occasionally, despite the best support, some kids need more intensive mental help than the school environment can provide, and in those cases, without question we should take the necessary precautions to keep everyone else in the building safe.
What are your thoughts on how to improve student mental health
There are numerous opportunities for us to address students' mental well-being. First, we can increase the number of counselors and social workers in our schools to provide immediate support. Second, we can expand peer-to-peer programs to all schools, not just elementary ones, ensuring that all students have a supportive network of friends. Third, we can incorporate mental health education into our curriculum, teaching students positive coping strategies at age-appropriate levels. Beyond mere words, we must create nurturing environments in schools that foster kindness, empathy, and zero tolerance for bullying behaviors.
What are your thoughts on ways to improve Black student achievement in your district and in Michigan schools overall?
As a white woman, I do not want to pretend that I understand what it is like for our Black, Brown, or any of our Minority students or families. I certainly recognize my privilege, knowing that at times despite my commitment to allyship, I am completely oblivious as to how far my white privilege extends. What I have learned is, there are lots of ways that we can support our minority students:
-- First, let's hire staff that is diverse, so students see teachers that look like them, on a daily basis in schools.
-- As a District-wide policy, let’s embrace allyship, in order to provide a community where everyone senses that they belong across the board – from employees to students.
-- We need to create more opportunities to listen and learn from others' experiences and cultures, and not just the most vocal people – we need to purposefully take steps to include even the smallest of voices.
-- We need to believe what people tell us about their experiences, instead of discounting them because it’s never happened to us, or it's not something we would ever do.
-- We need to take seriously the role of advocating for others, not just by our words, but by our actions; recognizing the last thing this District needs is another initiative that is beautifully worded, but no action behind it.
-- Lastly, we need to get real about making mistakes. We’re human, we all do it, from the School Board, to Administration, to Principals, to Teachers, to Students. We’ve got to get to a place where we acknowledge our mistakes, no matter how well intentioned we are, and then apologize. Where our mistakes can be fixed, we need to do so. This piece of communication, apologizing, is so critically important to facilitate culture change, and more importantly is behavior we need to model for our students, and it starts at the top-down.
What are your thoughts on how to ensure that all students and their families, regardless of race, gender identity, sexuality, disability, religion, income status, etc., feel safe and included in your district?
Our district must prioritize inclusivity for students and families by enhancing communication and transparency. As a parent who has faced the challenges of being new to the district, I understand the difficulties that arise from unclear information.
To address these issues, our district must streamline communication channels and reduce the number of platforms through which messages are sent and purchases are made. Then we need to have better planning district wide, which includes calculated messaging that is helpful, includes enough information, and directs you whom to contact with questions, and made available on the website for all to search and locate (even if behind a parent login).
These measures would not only make it easier for families to navigate our district but also ensure that important information is not lost or overlooked. By prioritizing inclusivity through improved communication and transparency, we can create a more welcoming and supportive environment for all students and families.
To foster an inclusive and safe learning environment, I propose a District-wide policy that actively promotes allyship, embraces diversity in hiring practices, and ensures that students see teachers they can relate to daily. We must intentionally create classrooms where students feel comfortable and secure. Encouraging students to express themselves, actively listening to their concerns, and educating them about the detrimental effects of bullying, harassment, and violence are essential. Our successful peer-to-peer program currently implemented in elementary schools should be expanded to middle and high schools, providing all students with not only a sense of community, but a circle of friends within our schools. Furthermore, the "Portrait of Learner" should not be limited to students alone; it should extend to school staff and parents, encouraging everyone to embody its principles.
What are your thoughts on how to recruit and retain staff, particularly staff of color, in your district with regard to pay, benefits, and working conditions?
Many taxpayers in our district believe that if we pay high taxes for our schools, the frontline staff, including teachers, paraprofessionals, reading specialists, and bus drivers, should receive top-tier compensation across the board. This approach aims to attract the most qualified candidates to our district. Beyond competitive pay, fostering a positive and engaging work culture is crucial to attracting and retaining high-quality employees.
To attract minorities and people of color to our district, we should enhance tuition reimbursement programs for Paras and Child Care staff interested in career advancement. Additionally, we can implement financial incentives and provide workplace support through a targeted recruitment campaign. Establishing relationships with universities whose demographics align with our hiring goals is also crucial. Furthermore, embracing allyship district-wide and fostering a diverse workforce will contribute to a more inclusive environment.