PELION, S.C. — Her class may be small, but Mrs. Brianna Robinson has a big heart for all of her 3K Special Education students at Pelion Elementary School.
Mrs. Bri teaches both verbal and non-verbal students in her classroom. Her goal is to make sure everyone feels seen, including her instructional assistants Cassie Boatwright and Treva Huckabee.
“We think a lot alike. We'll finish each other’s sentences, and we say words at the same time," says Huckabee. "I've learned a lot from her. I've learned a lot about how to work with students.”
“She is kind, funny, but she maintains high expectations for the kids, and really believes they can do anything,” says Boatwright.
Before teaching, Mrs. Bri worked for 10 years as a clinical supervisor with children and teens with autism. But she saw a need in the classroom.
“There were so many classes I went into," says Mrs. Bri. "These kids need us, especially now, more than ever, we're losing teachers a lot, and especially in special education. I just knew they needed me.”
Originally from Darlington, Mrs. Bri moved to Lexington School District One with her husband and son and fell in love with Pelion Elementary.
“This is the best school. Everyone is so welcoming; everyone is willing to help everyone. And we have the greatest admin here. They're so supportive and everything. I couldn’t ask for a better school to work at,” says Mrs. Bri.
Mrs. Bri also knew pre-school was her calling.
“That's where I needed to be. I could make the most impact and get them ready and hopefully let them be able to be included in the general education classrooms and participate more as they get older," says Mrs. Bri. "I feel like this is that vital time for them to gain so many skills so they can make progress in those older grade levels.”
“She's one of these teachers that works late. She stays late, and when she's here, she gives it her all. It doesn't matter if she feels sick or she's tired. It doesn't matter. She still gives 1,000% regardless," says Huckabee.
“Bri, you are probably the funniest teacher I have been with. You make me laugh, and it makes this job, even on the hard days, so fun. And I'm very grateful to be in here with someone who knows so much, and who loves the kids as much as you do,” says Boatwright.
Boatwright says she requested to work with Mrs. Bri because of her great classroom management. She says Mrs. Bri is someone she can learn from as they prepare their students for general education classes.
If you know a teacher like Mrs. Bri who deserves to be recognized for their hard work in the classroom you can nominate them by emailing us at TOW@WLTX.COM. Tell us what that educator is doing every day to go above and beyond in the classroom.