7 minute read
THE MEASURE OF SUCCESS
Jay Brinson
THE MEASURE OF SUCCESS
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Story by MATT ROBINSON-AQUIRRE AND GRAHAM DAVIS
PHOTO BY DAVONTAY WILSON PHOTOGRAPHY
If you a ended Wayne County High School while Dr. JayBrinson was principal, or Odum Elementary, you’ve probably heard these words. Every day on the morning announcements, he would recite this quote. It not only provides insight into his constant positivity as a leader, but it is also an illustration of his commitment to go above and beyond. As a student who witnessed this fi rsthand, I can personally vouch for the impression it left on the students at Wayne County High. And this is just one example.
Jay Brinson is a Wayne County native who went through the very school system he served for 28 years. He walked the halls of Wayne County High and played baseball for the Wayne County Yellow Jackets. Brinson knows what it is like to grow up in Wayne County, which contributed to his success once it became his turn to lead.
Brinson graduated from Wayne County High School in 1988. Brinson was head coach of the Wayne County High School Baseball Team
Brinson played baseball for the Yellow Jackets in high school.
Dr. Brinson was not born to a life of privilege. He was raised by a single mother determined to ensure he would grow to be the outstanding man he is today. But, like many in Wayne County, he was also guided by others in our community.
Many people throughout Dr. Brinson's life helped encourage and motivate him to move forward in his achievements. Such as, the late James Boykin and his wife, Lore a, were two people who felt like an extended family and who provided love and support along his path to success. Peggy Riggins helped keep him on the “straight and narrow” through high school. Coach Paul Conner not only brought Brinson into the school system but ingrained in him at a young age that what you do when no one is watching is the true defi nition of integrity. Barbara Struckoff was another infl uence in his life. Her work ethic and constant grind are still an inspiration to him today. These are the people he aspired to be like, guiding others along as he was so graciously guided, and they refl ect much of the work shown in his leadership positions.
After graduating from Wayne County High School, he went on to earn fi ve subsequent degrees, including an Associate of Science from Middle Georgia, a Bachelor of Science in education from Georgia Southern, and a Master’s Degree, Six-year/ Specialist Degree, and Doctorate in Science and Education, all from Cambridge University in Boston, Massachuse s, through a remote learning program. While working towards these academic achievements, Brinson began his career at Screven Elemen-
Brinson with his family at his daughter’s wedding in June 2021. His wife, Kim, and their children Mallory and JT and his new son-in-law, Jake Phillips.
“He was a phenomenal principal. He built an atmosphere of love and school spirit, and he led with that same type of spirit.” – Nick Ellis
tary before becoming a PE teacher, football, and baseball coach at the high school, eventually becoming the head coach of the Wayne County baseball team. He served as Assistant Principal of the former Oak Vista Elementary before becoming the Principal of Odum Elementary for six years. In the fall of 2010, he returned to Wayne County High School as Principal until he took the position of Superintendent of Wayne County Schools in July of 2014. His prior experiences helped prepare Brinson for that role and instilled confi dence in the community as well.
Educators build the very foundation of what makes or breaks a nation. And while it is easy to forget, teachers and administrators have the most substantial infl uence, outside of the home, in shaping students into the individuals they grow to be. If not for the unforge able teachers we have during our formative years, the vast majority of us would not reach our same forms of success. Brinson experienced this fi rsthand, and it became one of his goals to funnel that back into the community that shaped him.
“I’ve based everything I’ve done in my career on the fact that I received a lot of opportunities I might have not otherwise go en if I hadn’t been in Wayne County, and I have always taken that very seriously,” Brinson explained. “I think it's God's plan to provide us with a path, and you have to take it. I wanted to provide for kids the same opportunities that were provided for me, and I’ve played many diff erent roles but paying it forward has always been the premise of what I have tried to accomplish." This mindset created the cornerstone for Brinson's career and what he would value as the reasoning behind his success.
Dr. Brinson is a practical and pragmatic leader who communicated his dedication to the students and educators in the community not only through his words but, most importantly, his actions. In his position as Superintendent, he brought a great deal of modernization to Wayne County's school system, despite state budget cuts to public education, while also maintaining a standard of equitable practices across all demographics within Wayne County’s school system, all with a budget surplus. During Dr. Brinson's fi rst few years in offi ce, he elevated the school system from seventeenth to fourth in rank within a regional system encompassing 19 school districts. In addition, the graduation rate increased to 90% for the fi rst time during Dr. Brison’s tenure and reached as high as 93% during the 2018 - 2019 school year.
Yet, Brinson knows the true measure of an educator’s success does not come from statistics but the people their
ABOVE Brinson with former student and current school board Chairman Nick Ellis. LEFT Brinson with Rhe Ammons.
BELOW Brinson with current school board members: Bruce Harris, Ray Davidson, Sheron Daniel, Joe McPipkin, and Nick Ellis.
former students grow up to be. Nick Ellis is one of those students. Now a local police offi cer and the Wayne County school board chairman, Ellis became a fan of Brinson's character when he was a freshman in high school, and Dr. Brinson was only beginning his career. As fate would have it, Brinson returned to Wayne County High as principal when Ellis started working part-time as a school resource offi cer.
“He was a phenomenal principal. When you see someone who cares for children beyond their circumstances, beyond their problems, and will do whatever it takes to help them succeed, those are the type of people that you want to lead your school system.” Ellis continued to share that Brinson built an atmosphere of love and school spirit, and he led with that same type of spirit. "He believed in the alma mater, and he honored the black, gold, and white. When he transitioned to the board offi ce, he took that same spirit with him, and it resonated throughout the community. He truly embodies the phrase, ‘We are Wayne County!’."
How do you thank a man who devoted his career to the be erment of this community? If you ask Jay Brinson, he would say you don’t. As he refl ects on his career and those who helped him build it. He has a few memories that shine brightest, and they all include the students and individuals he positively impacted. He didn't do it for recognition, only in the hope that they would go out into the world and do the same. That is how he measures success.