Written by Alex Rak
“There are so many lives to live in this world, so many experiences to have. I find that if we’re not practicing global citizenship, our lives are smaller.” If there’s one quote to explain Ms. Brooks’ motivation to improve the world around her, this is it. As a first-generation college student at the University of Dayton, Ms. Brooks found herself surrounded by many peers who were heavily involved in political activism, which allowed her to learn about many aspects of social justice in a way she hadn’t been able to before. These experiences have shaped her life in countless ways.
After UD, she volunteered at Americorp, a national volunteer program. Her work involved helping people around New England create self-run businesses for financial sustainability, with an emphasis on giving back to the communities they resided in.
After Americorp, she went back to college to pursue a Master’s degree in Literature, which developed and advanced many of her perspectives on creative writing in the English language. She began to specialize in postcolonial literature, specifically Indian literature in English.
At the same time, she began to volunteer at the WYCA in Dayton, with a focus on assisting victims of sexual violence at a rape crisis center, using her literature skills to create resources for impacted individuals. This experience prompted her to pursue a second Master’s degree in Applied Behavioral Science, with an emphasis in Women, Gender, and Sexuality studies. She views literature, especially world literature, as a powerful way to connect with people with different experiences than your own: “There’s something about literature that provides a sense of empathy that we sometimes can’t get when we’re only in one place.”
Ms. Brooks values MVS’s smaller class sizes and is particularly appreciative of the ability for students to have access to their teachers to ask questions without having to wait for long periods of time. This was an important part of her decision to teach at the school. Not having personalized guidance in school, she says, can hinder a student’s learning experience: “The process of learning is much more connected than that.” She also admires MVS’s philosophy, like ideas such as the Immersion Method and the concept of “global citizenship”: “It gives people the opportunity to live lives outside of themselves… there are so many lives to live in this world, so many experiences to have, and I find that if we’re not practicing global citizenship, our lives are smaller.”
In a similar light, her Immersion also focuses on these values, and whenever you speak to her about January you can tell that she’s incredibly excited. Alongside Madame Leslie, the “Compassionate Citizenship” Immersion seeks to focus on “volunteering on purpose,” rather than volunteering out of necessity: “I want [my students] to volunteer for places that have meaningful missions and goals to them.” Madame Leslie and Ms. Brooks both recognized that many nonprofits and social entrepreneurs in the Dayton area are relatively unknown to the general public—lots of community-oriented organizations sustain themselves with grants, which are often inconsistent. This inconsistency can often leave these places without critical resources. She hopes to find places that have important social justice missions that the students in the Immersion are interested in helping.
On the Immersion, NCCJ will train students in recognizing implicit bias, and students will get to interact with relatives of Martin Luther King Jr. and Gandhi, visit the International Peace Museum in downtown Dayton, and work on a project with the University of Dayton regarding refugee experiences—the goal of the project is to facilitate interviews with immigrants about what is needed in Dayton to support them fully. They will also visit the Jewish Community Center and a local Islamic institution to learn how to better facilitate an environment of kindness and consideration in times of tension.
Students will write memoirs on what peace means to them, which will be shown at the International Conference on Peace. They will also work with Have a Gay Day to provide resources to those in the Dayton area struggling with food insecurity during the winter months. Additionally, they will go on a personal tour with one of the creators of the Black Experience in America at Sinclair Community College and work with the Dayton Metroparks to improve environmental sustainability in our region.
On a more personal note, Ms. Brooks loves abstract art, especially Mark Rothko, and she loves visiting the Front Street Art Gallery in Dayton. She has a King Charles Cavalier named Charlotte and adores all kinds of animals. Looking back, she’s grateful for an opportunity to moderate a conversation between Wright State students and local police officers regarding police brutality: “That was a huge opportunity for me and an excellent way to learn about things from multiple sides.” She also highly recommends working with your college during your time on campus, having personal experience as a career coach and resume writer for college students, both of which benefited her greatly.
As soon as you meet Ms. Brooks, you know that she’s incredibly passionate about her work, unafraid to explore the unknown, and eager to make the world a better place—she truly embodies the values of MVS. Above all, you can tell that she’s sincerely kind, and happy to help you with anything you’re struggling with, even if that means just talking about it. One thing is for certain: Ms. Brooks is ambitious, and has many more stories to tell!
What teacher should we feature next?
