brandy bryson

In my role serving 10 schools and teaching students labeled “at-risk” in non-traditional education programs, I worked directly with students, their families, teachers, administrators, and superintendents to address various issues affecting the lives of students, especially those most vulnerable and marginalized. It was my school social work experience that motivated me to pursue the doctorate in social foundations of education in order to effect positive change in the school experiences by working with aspiring and in-service educators and leaders.

As a social worker in child welfare, I worked with children and families to connect with resources, community agencies, law enforcement, and the courts in an effort preserve and reunite families.

As Visiting Assistant Professor, I taught four Social Foundations of Education courses per semester. Additionally, I served as a member of the professional development plan committee for undergraduate teacher education and faculty advisor for Appalachian Educators for Social Justice, initiated an exploratory project to examine and understand racial diversity in the College of Education and to prioritze the understanding of and support for teacher candidates' of Color experiences and challenges.

As a doctoral student at USC, I worked on numerous research projects. As an adjunct instructor, I developed and taught three sections of Schools in Communities. In 2010, I was invited by the Chair of Instruction and Teacher Education to teach Culturally Relevant Pedagogy in Early Childhood Classrooms. Additionally, I participated as a facilitator with a college-wide diversity dialogue initiative; assisted with a diverse graduate student recruitment initiative; assisted with the planning of the College’s African American Equity Symposium Series; and guest lectured for numerous courses and organizations. In February 2012, I co-chaired the Southeastern Association for Educational Studies annual conference.

Collaboration with University Housing and Programs for Residents

Activities and Societies: Title IV-E Child Welfare Grant

Activities and Societies: Delta Epsilon Iota National Honor Society; Golden Key International Honor Society; Psi Chi National Honor Society