Palmer Trinity School

57 F A L L / W I N T E R 2 0 1 6 ALUMNEWS I always knew my path would lead me back to Palmer Trinity, and I'm thrilled to be an ongoing part of this community as an alumna, faculty member, and future Falcon parent." family. e mother was so incredibly sweet and cooked us incredible meals during our stay. We also got to travel to various parts of the country, witnessing bullfights, visiting art museums and seeing beautiful churches." With an unwavering support system and a strong sense of confidence, Brittney turned down an offer to Harvard (much to the surprise of her family, friends, and teachers) for the opportunity to attend Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts. "Breaking the news to my mother was not easy. My mom was definitely disappointed, but my education both at home and at Palmer Trinity School has taught me to take a stand for what I think is right. And so I did." Brittney spent ten years away from Miami. In that time she graduated from Smith College with a degree in Political Science, earned a masters in Gender Studies at George Washington University, and started careers in the social justice and nonprofit sectors. When she finally moved back to Miami, she reconnected with her old Palmer Trinity friends and started getting involved in Alumni activities, specifically by coordinating the School's ten and fifteen year reunions. She also helped out with Alumni fundraisers and actively volunteered for College and Career Day. Getting an opportunity to learn about all of the incredible things Palmer Trinity students have continued to do inspired Brittney to work to ensure a long and successful future for Palmer Trinity School so it can continue to educate and inspire as many students as possible. Walking on to the Palmer Trinity campus again over a decade later was an almost surreal experience for Brittney. "Even after all that time, it felt like we were all back in the Senior Chickee playing cards or getting ready for the Homecoming Dance. I was so thankful for all the friendships I made and still kept that it made me want to give back to the school responsible for making it all happen. Each time I came back to campus, I'd be amazed by the experiences and opportunities the School made available to its students and families. at's why I joined the Alumni Association and continue to serve on its Board. I'm thrilled about the future of the Alumni Association as we continue to grow and strengthen our network locally and throughout the world." After joining the PTS Alumni Association, Brittney was inspired to continue her work in the classroom as an educator. Her commitment to social justice, inclusivity, and global connections inspired her throughout her careers, but most particularly as an educator and a member for the PTS faculty. She remembers Convocation in particular as a place that cultivated her desire to challenge notions on issues like politics, reproductive rights, racism, and other pressing issues of the day. ese conversations, combined with her passion for global issues, catalyzed her career as an activist and an educator. As a World Cultures teacher, she's able to bring her passions into her classroom every day. Her students get to discuss historical bias and the importance of approaching history with a critical eye and an acute attention to perspective. "We get to explore so many cultural beliefs and traditions that appear different from ours, and occasionally challenge our notions of what's 'right.' ese moments provide incredible opportunities to challenge our world-views and expand our perspectives in the name of celebrating difference. I do all of this with 6 th grade students." When asked what advice she would give current students about finding their passions and pursing their dreams, she gave very simple advice: "It sounds so cliché, but I'm a big believer in following your heart. Palmer Trinity students have so many choices, and it can be tempting to simply accept the path someone else chooses for you (be it a certain school, career, or sport to pursue). It's vital to think for yourself, to identify what truly matters to you and what drives you to be great. ere were many times in my life when I didn't know what that was, but I always knew I wanted to be the one to decide what my contribution to the world would be. I always knew my path would lead me back to Palmer Trinity, and I'm thrilled to be an ongoing part of this community as an alumna, faculty member, and future Falcon parent." Brittney during Homecoming Week

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