By Susan Bromley

Staff Writer

Brandon Twp.-A long-time educator in the district is being recommended to lead the Brandon Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Debbie Brauher, a former teacher of the year and current district literacy specialist, will be presented to the board of education for approval as the new BAAS director at a special meeting set for 6:30 p.m., June 13, at ITEC, 609 S. Ortonville Road.

“She has 24 years as an educator and has been a teacher leader in our district for many years,” said Superintendent Matt Outlaw on Wednesday. “She really understands teaching and learning and has a great grasp on what it takes to help kids learn to the best of their ability.”

BAAS families were notified April 20

that former director Marilyn Campbell had been “released from her position.” Outlaw declined to elaborate on the personnel matter other than to say “a change was required.”

The position was posted May 9 and 41 applications were received. Interview teams that included four BAAS staff, six BAAS parents, and district leadership selected 12 candidates for first round interviews, which was narrowed to five finalists for a second interview and also participation in an executive achiever test to gauge leadership potential and evaluate strengths and weaknesses.

In a letter to BAAS families dated May 27, Outlaw wrote that Brauher would be the recommendation. Her resume at Brandon includes science teacher at the middle school and elementary teacher of various grades. Brauher was teaching fourth grade at Oakwood Elementary in 2010 when she was named the Oakland County Oustanding Elementary Teacher of the Year, the first teacher in Brandon to ever receive the county distinction.

For the past five years, she has served in a leadership role as an instructional coach and in the past year, she has assisted with literacy in the combined first and second grade classroom at BAAS.

“She has great ideas for the future of BAAS and looks forward to connecting with all of you to listen, learn and share,” wrote Outlaw to parents. “She is excited to get to know you all and to become part of the academy family.”

The Brandon Academy of Arts and Sciences opened in 2013 in the H.T. Burt building, becoming a home for about 30 students who left the Good Shepherd Lutheran School in Lake Orion, as well as Campbell and a few staff members who came with her to this district. The academy features smaller class sizes and mixed grade levels from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade and has grown to enroll about 100 students.

Under new leadership, Outlaw hopes to see an academy that focuses on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics) and said he is excited for the future of the school.