By Shelby Stewart-Soldan
ssoldan@mihomepaper.com
Brandon — The Brandon School District has a new executive assistant to the superintendent and the board of education.
“I think I chose the district before they chose me,” said Alexis Wheat. “Just the warmth from the interview panel, the excitement from Carly Stone. I wasn’t sure at first, but I think when you have these people rooting for you, you know you’re in amazing hands. It was really important for me, going where I’m needed, wanted and valued.”
Wheat grew up in Michigan, and lived in Ohio for 10 years where she worked for the Department of Defense in various roles. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she longed for a sense of community and connected with friends from Michigan and fell in love with the state again, which is when she and her family moved. Following that, she was a secretary for the principal of Southfield High School for the Arts and Technology. She is also a graduate of Southfield schools.
“I thoroughly enjoyed my time at A and T, having that direct connection with students and receiving so much love from the district that raised me, that meant everything,” she said. “I’m proud of the work I did there. But I’m ready for life to slow down. That was very fast-paced, it was time to move on.”
Wheat also credits her 14-year-old son, Cayden, for the transition.
“I was telling my son all the things I was doing in a day and he looked me dead in the eyes and said ‘Mom, you deserve a promotion’,” she said. “He is the reason I applied. He made me go, ‘you are right,’ and I’m really grateful for him.”
Wheat is filling the position left by past executive assistant Maria Schubring, who retired as of June 30, 2024 after 10 years with the district.
“I know this role has very big shoes to fill,” she said. “But I have felt nothing but generosity, kindness, and dare I say, love. This is an extremely warm community that wants to play a part in the school. No one stands idly by, and I really like that.”