This blog post will explore how school districts can build a strong postsecondary culture that reflects the full range of opportunities available to students, how to start, and what to measure to track progress.
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At OneGoal, our coaches are more than educators — they’re champions for growth, possibility, and student success. Through our Meet the Coach series, we’re pulling back the curtain to spotlight the incredible individuals who guide, challenge, and inspire school leaders every day. From their leadership philosophies to their favorite pick-me-up drinks, we’re celebrating the people behind the passion — the ones turning big visions into everyday impact across our network.
This month, we will chat with one of our Texas-based coaches, Brianna Brown, and learn more about her, her work in Texas and the system-level changes that she is seeing in her districts.
Tell us a little about yourself! Where did you grow up, and what brought you into education?
I was born and raised in East Palo Alto, California. Growing up in a low-income, single-parent household, I recognized the transformative power of education early on. I took my studies seriously, understanding that education was the key to a successful future. This drive led me to become the first in my family to attend college, a profound and life-changing achievement.
My academic path took me to Prairie View A&M University, where I earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. I later pursued and obtained a Masters of Science in Counseling from San Francisco State University, specializing in school counseling with an emphasis in college counseling.
My experience led me directly into the field of education, initially as a counselor and later as a Director of College Counseling. I believe that a thriving community must collaborate to provide students with a nurturing environment and equip them with the academic and cognitive skills they need to navigate their own path to success. I was raised by a village and I solely believe it takes the work of everyone to be successful.
What’s been one of the most rewarding moments in your career so far?
While the excitement of seeing a student open their college acceptance letter—a moment that signifies the culmination of their hard work and our guidance—was once the peak of my satisfaction, my most rewarding moment has evolved.
The new highlight is the opportunity I’ve been given to coach other educators. Shifting my focus to training and mentoring has allowed me to exponentially increase my impact.
My work has always been about more than just admissions; it’s about helping students develop critical consciousness—the skills to think bigger than themselves, examine social conditions, and ultimately become social change agents and role models in their communities. Now, by teaching other professionals to do the same, I am not just helping a single cohort of students, but ensuring that this profound, transformational approach to education is adopted by many more educators.
Empowering others to foster that same sense of transformational resistance and self-advocacy in their students has become the ultimate validation of my career.
How did you land in your current role/district? Any big lessons from the journey?
Being a Teacher Fellow with OneGoal many, many years ago was a fantastic experience—I absolutely loved the organization from the start. As time went on, I was introduced to the Post Secondary Leadership Coach opportunity, and I knew I had to jump at it. I was at a pivotal moment in my life where I was truly ready for a change and eager to lead the work in a bigger way.
What’s one highlight or success story from your current district that makes you proud?
This particular school Channing is quite small, with only about 20+ seniors, but they are absolutely “in it to win it!” Seeing the focus and determination from this group, despite their size, is a true highlight.
My work there has involved collaborating with the admin team to implement a structured advisory program that focuses on college and career awareness and has specific initiatives to increase TSIA scores. This has been crucial for preparing their students for the next step.
What makes this a true success story is the dedication of their counselor, Mollie. She is fantastic—eager to learn, and most importantly, willing to “pull up her sleeves and do the hard work” to ensure every student gets the best post-secondary experience possible. We started as a partnership, but our relationship has genuinely grown into feeling more like a family.
The transformation in student awareness and the collective commitment from the school staff shows that size doesn’t matter when the commitment is this strong. We’re creating a powerful culture of expectation and support that will fundamentally change the trajectory for these students.
Outside of work, what’s a passion project, hobby, or side hustle that keeps you inspired?
Outside of my professional role, I am driven by a passion for global exploration and the world of wine and spirits.
I love traveling to different countries, not just to see the sights, but to truly immerse myself and experience the unique cultures each place has to offer. Complementing this is my hobby of visiting vineyards to taste wine and learn about the craft. This interest has led me to earn my Wine and Spirits Education Trust Level 1 certification (WSET)—a true commitment to the pursuit of wine knowledge!
Finally, for moments of relaxation and inspiration, I am a dedicated reader of fantasy books. The Harry Potter series is my absolute all-time favorite, a world I can revisit anytime to spark creativity and imagination.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received about teaching, coaching, or leadership?
The best piece of advice I’ve ever received, one that applies across teaching, coaching, and leadership, is simple yet powerful: Be your authentic self!
This guidance has become my guiding principle. When you walk into a room with confidence and are ready to own it, everything else truly does fall into place. Authenticity allows you to connect genuinely with students and colleagues, builds trust, and ensures your actions and words align with your core beliefs. It’s the key to leading effectively and inspiring those around you.
Just for fun—what’s your go-to karaoke song, guilty pleasure TV show, or snack you can’t live without?
I am absolutely obsessed with Baskin-Robbins’ Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough—it’s the one snack I truly can’t live without. As for a guilty pleasure TV show, I’m completely hooked on 90 Day Fiance.
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