Focused leadership drives STAAR success at Brashear
From the classroom to campus administration, legacy school Jimmie Tyler Brashear Elementary School emphasizes leadership development at every level. The school earned an overall academic score of 88 from the Texas Education Agency by focusing on schoolwide collaboration.
At Brashear, academic success begins the moment students walk through the school doors. Each morning, they are greeted by the principal, Sonja Barnes, and teacher assistants, reflecting the school’s commitment to forming strong relationships. Barnes welcomes students with a swarm of bubbles, creating a friendly environment that sets the tone for the day.
“I believe that as teachers, we should approach our work with joy and intention, making school an exciting place for students to learn,” said LaShawn Griffin, third-grade math teacher. “Since attendance is such an important part of success, we make it a priority to ensure that our students feel welcome and know that they are learning from the moment they walk in until the moment they leave.”
Griffin is one of many educators contributing to the campus’s STAAR success. Now in her 10th year at Brashear, she also mentors new teachers, helping them develop effective strategies for teaching key concepts in their classrooms.
Her classroom is grounded in social-emotional learning, supporting students’ well-being so they can focus and approach each day with confidence. She also integrates reading strategies into math instruction, helping students strengthen vocabulary comprehension and close learning gaps.
Through small-group instruction and hands-on activities, Griffin teaches students to annotate problems and solve them by carefully analyzing the meaning of each word.
“I believe that when kids know that you care, they will care about what you’re trying to teach them, and care about learning,” she said.
For the past two years, the school has participated in a leadership development program with The Holdsworth Center, designed to strengthen teachers as leaders. Barnes formed a team of educators to identify a long-term focus area that would drive campus improvement. For Brashear, that focus became strengthening vocabulary to improve student performance on STAAR.
Barnes’ leadership was also recognized after being selected as 2025-2026 Region III Elementary Principal of the Year. She emphasized that while strong STAAR performance is important, authentic instruction that engages students in deep thinking ultimately prepares them for success on any assessment.
“In the beginning of the program, I worked with my assistant principal to analyze the data and discuss strategies we could use,” Barnes said. “When we brought teachers into the conversation, they identified even more strategies to support our students. We landed on implementing the TIP chart—Text, Information, Picture—and adapted it across the campus.”
A TIP chart helps students break down content by identifying key text, relevant information, and visual connections to deepen their comprehension. This approach, along with schoolwide instructional practices, such as an emphasis on problem-solving, critical thinking, and in-depth annotations, contributed to the school earning a B rating.
Brashear’s success extends beyond classroom achievement in math and reading. The campus prioritizes developing confident student leaders who are prepared to take ownership of their learning and their community.
Students can engage in service and leadership opportunities through the National Elementary Honor Society and student council. As school ambassadors, they lead campus tours and coordinate community service projects, building the confidence and skills needed to become future scholars.
Barnes has served as principal of Brashear for 11 years. Her leadership shapes the culture of the entire campus and creates space for teachers and students to thrive. Just two points shy of an A rating, the school is building a sustained momentum toward even greater academic excellence.
“Our vision is to make sure that we’re laying the foundation for college, career and beyond,” Barnes said. “When every staff member believes they have the ability to help a child reach college or change the trajectory of that child’s life, great things happen. At Brashear, I believe every staff member understands the role they play in each child’s journey.”
