Kristal Brooks
Gates County Public Schools
Kristal Brooks earned her associate degree at the College of the Albermarle and a Bachelor of Science in Special Education degree from Elizabeth City State University in 2017. She has worked in the Gates County School System for over 20 years as a teacher assistant, cheerleading coach, activity/substitute bus driver and a kindergarten through 12th grade exceptional children’s teacher. She served on the school improvement and multi-tiered systems of support teams for both Buckland Elementary and Central Middle Schools.
Kristal says she has always had a love of learning and teaching. Growing up she remembers playing “school” like many other neighborhood children, but she aspired to be a nurse like her mother. After completing a year of nursing school, she decided to follow her heart into education.
As a member of the first Pirate Leadership Academy cohort, Kristal hopes to make a greater impact on her school community. Through her service leadership projects, Kristal’s plan is to help build bridges that are needed to reach each student where they are. She says there are so many great educators who have inspired her, and her goal is to inspire others. One of her favorite quotes is: “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” — John Quincy Adams