A very familiar face will be waiting for students and parents at the Dublin Elementary doors as they return to school on Wednesday, Aug. 9.
Dublin native and DHS graduate Brandy Carr will be greeting everyone as Dublin elementary Principal this year.
Carr, who has been at Dublin ISD for 19 years, remembers being “very honored” when administration approached her about the position.
The appointment is a natural fit for someone who loves helping the community’s kids, but it’s not the job Carr originally picked for herself.
“I originally got a Bachelor’s Degree in Business [from Tarleton State University],” Carr said. With that degree, she helped open a few businesses in Texas and worked in the loan department at a Dallas bank. She found the work rewarding but a deeper motivation presented itself.
“What changed my career path was when I had my own children,” she remembered. “I wanted to be able to make a difference in kids’ livesnot just my kids but everyone’s kids.”
This desire was confirmed when she taught as a substitute and found that she loved the work.
“I really like to be a r o u n d t h e students,” she said.
Carr went back to school and got her teaching certificate. She has been in education for 21 years now, with two of those at Millsap and the remainder serving the students of DISD.
She has taught second, third and fourth grade and after, getting a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Sul Ross University, she served as Assistant Principal of Dublin Intermediate for 2.5 years.
Carr said one of the most touching moments in education for her was getting a hand-delivered graduation invitation from a student she taught in elementary. She said she was so touched and thought to herself, “They remembered me!”
Carr finds working in administration as gratifying as teaching, but it can be more demanding since an administrator is not only responsible for the students in a single class, but students, staff and teachers across the campus.
The new principal has nothing but positive things to say about the Dublin Elementary family, attributing all the positive growth (such as the Blue Ribbon designation and high test scores) to the collaborative work of the teachers and students.
“Everybody’s in it together,” Carr said, adding that the focus of all the educators is on student success.
To ensure the forward momentum continues this year, Dublin Elementary has adopted a theme of ‘Let the GAMES Begin’. (GAMES stands for “Goals and Motivation Equals Success.”) This collaborative planning and teamwork is at the core of one of Carr’s favorite quotes: “Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much”- Helen Keller “I want us to be collective team,” Carr said of Dublin Elementary, saying the kids can excel if the administration, students, staff, teachers and parents are all dedicated to success.
Carr is excited to help lead Dublin Elementary, continuing the success and inspiration for students of Dublin ISD, a district which helped raise her and the three children she raised with husband, Robby: MaRhanda, Reagen and Hollyn.