Dr. Joyce Brooks Empowers Student Leaders at GEMS
Empowered leaders empower the next generation of leaders. At Girls Empowerment Middle School (GEMS), a tuition-free public charter school in Las Vegas, we embrace this truth in all that we do. No one models leadership more consistently and joyfully than Dr. Brooks, GEMS principal and a lifelong educator. We asked Dr. Brooks a few questions to get to know her better.
Please tell us about your background and how you came to be at GEMS.
I retired from the Clark County School District after thirty years of service. I served as a support staff teacher's aide, teacher, office clerk, special education administrative coordinator, assistant principal, and principal. Then, after retirement, I became a licensed insurance agent, focusing my attention on clients in the charter schools. I visited a teacher who was working at GEMS one day to discuss what we had to offer employees and realized that I knew the previous director from CCSD. She joked that I would be a great fit for a school like this and in return, I jokingly said, "call me if the position ever becomes vacant". I had already fallen in love with the students, mission, and vision of the school. After that meeting, about a month later the current principal announced that she would not be returning. I received a call from the director asking me if I was really interested in being the principal of GEMS. It was fate!
Please tell us about your role as Principal.
As the principal of GEMS, my role is multifaceted. On a daily basis, my job is to make sure everything is running smoothly, this includes the operation of the facilities, creating a safe and secure environment for all, creating a welcoming environment for all, and modeling the actions needed to create this culture. I am responsible for hiring, training, observing and supporting our qualified educators. I serve as the disciplinarian to make sure all staff and students operate using professional conduct. I ensure that all our students receive grade-level, standards-based instruction on a daily basis. My role as principal also entails making parents and community leaders feel welcomed and needed to help our school grow. I help with recruitment events and opportunities to grow our partnerships. I offer monthly parent meetings, weekly partnership activities, and daily volunteer opportunities to all interested parties. Overall, my role is inclusive of any and everything needed to make GEMS successful.
What's the best part about your role?
It is hard to pinpoint the best part about my role as the principal of GEMS because I love it all. However, if I had to choose, I think the best part is when I have a chance to actually meet with the students and interact with them during leadership activities. This gives me a chance to really get to know them and for them to really know me on a more personal basis.
What do you LOVE about GEMS? What sets it apart from other schools?
I love the fact that it feels like a family environment. The class sizes make it easy to get to know all students on a more intimate, personal basis. The students thrive on the attention that they can't get in traditional middle schools with larger class sizes. These things, along with the fact that the administration has some autonomy to create fun, innovative classes such as Empowerment Class, Independent Studies, and gear activities to meet the specific needs of our students, make GEMS a great place to be a leader. In addition, we have community partners who offer fun activities throughout the year for our staff and students. These partners include local law enforcement, Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), Silver State Schools Credit Union, Safe Nest, and SHERO just to name a few.
What are some events you enjoy at GEMS and why?
We have had several unforgettable events that I enjoyed at GEMS, such as our weekly presentations by our community empowerment guest speakers. This is a powerful weekly opportunity because our students have a chance to meet successful community leaders who are willing to share their experiences along with the struggles they encountered along the way. We all enjoyed a full, two day walking field trip to UNLV where our students had a chance to explore the campus, hear UNLV staff explain future career opportunities and answer their questions. I also enjoy our weekly "lunch with law enforcement" activities. The local police group comes every Tuesday to meet with a select group of students to discuss careers, safety, making better choices, and many other topics. This partnership gives our students a chance to meet police officers in a positive way and break down some of the stigma that they may have heard on the news, at home, or in their community. Another enjoyable opportunity was a full day field trip with our local Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). This group made our girls feel welcome to their facility, gave them a powerful presentation about safety, and offered live demonstrations to teach them about safety and how to warn off attackers.
In your opinion, what makes a great leader?
In my opinion a great leader is one who leads with their heart first. Anyone can make decisions or manage a group of people. However, it takes a special person to do all these things and more while taking into consideration the needs of those you serve and making them a priority, having compassion for those you serve, and having a willingness to do whatever it takes to show your commitment to the cause on a daily basis. A true leader never quits until the job is complete and the mission is accomplished!
What does a day in your school life look like?
Each day at GEMS is unique. However, on a typical day you will see students scurrying to class while teachers stand outside the doors to greet them and usher them in. You will see administrators attending to various tasks seen and unseen. You will see student work displayed on the halls along with posters advertising upcoming events. You might see a parent or two stop by to address a concern, register new students, or to tour our facilities. If you drop in a classroom, you will see high quality instruction taking place, with a few unexpected events. If you stop in our Empowerment classroom you might embark upon a powerful community speaker delivering a message to our students. Overall, on a daily basis our school looks like a place that is on the move and evolving on a continuous basis.
Tell us about what you do for fun and about your family.
I love to travel! When I can't go places I also enjoy exploring places, virtually. I love to read children's books of all kinds. My favorite book is "Chrysanthemum". This is a children's book written by Kevin Henkes. This book is about a little girl who was named after a flower. She loved her name but other children laughed at her. Ultimately, they all learned to appreciate the beauty of her name. I have five grandchildren so I often enjoy sharing a good book with them. In addition, I am a five-time, self-published author. I love to write real-life, true stories. I love all music, all genres, almost all types of music. My favorite is oldies but goodies. I love comedy shows on TV and real-life mysteries on Lifetime. I have been married for over thirty years. My husband recently retired after thirty years in the school district. I have an adult son and an adult daughter. My daughter is currently teaching kindergarten. I enjoy spending spare time with my five grandkids at the park, theme parks, or just lounging around the house on lazy days.
About Girls Empowerment Middle School
Girls Empowerment Middle School (GEMS) is the first girls-focused, tuition-free, public charter school in Las Vegas. Located in the heart of Las Vegas, near UNLV, GEMS provides a safe, unique learning experience for students in grades 6, 7, and 8. We foster intellectual, mental, and emotional well-being, empowering students to become leaders who make a difference. In a world where girls are often taught what to think, GEMS teaches girls how to think critically. GEMS students excel academically, develop their voices, and lead fearlessly in a safe, caring educational environment. Join us — we’re now enrolling.