The Future of Education

Giuliana N Brink is the Principal of OB Gates Elementary School for Chesterfield County Public Schools, Chesterfield, Virginia, in the United States. In the past 13 years as the Principal, she has built an equitable and inclusive learning environment for students with disabilities, in addition to implementing two Dual Language Immersion Programs for students in grades K-5, American Sign Language(ASL) and Mandarin Chinese. Prior to being an elementary principal, Giuliana invested her professional career first teaching students with disabilities K-12 after graduating from Radford University with a BS in Education. After working in the classroom for 10 years, Giuliana pursued a Masters in Leadership & Supervision from Grand Canyon University while working as a Special Education Teacher Consultant. During that time, she focused on implementing professional development for co-teaching students with disabilities in the general education setting; research based instructional strategies; coaching and mentoring special education teachers; and ensuring that special education policies and procedures were in compliance. OB Gates Elementary quickly became one of Giuliana’s favorite schools out of her eleven that she was assigned. When the Assistant Principal position opened up, Giuliana applied and began her work for five years at OB Gates building a school culture where all students are provided with equitable and inclusive practices. During her time as Assistant Principal, Giuliana assisted with the implementation of a World Language Program featuring Mandarin Chinese; professional development for integrating Problem/Project Based Learning; integrating technology in the classroom; and the implementation of the VCU “I’m Determined” program teaching students with disabilities about their abilities at the elementary level. After transitioning to Principal, Giuliana continued implementing innovative practices for closing achievement gaps in learning. In the fall of 2019, OB Gates Elementary began the first American Sign Language Dual Language Immersion in the United States in a public school. Unfortunately, schools closed in the spring due to Covid, but the program continued virtually. In the fall of 2020, after serving as a US Principal Delegate to China in the fall of 2019 and during the pandemic, Giuliana started a second Dual Language Immersion program with Mandarin Chinese virtually. Her passion for growing the two dual language programs continues as she is preparing to expand the ASL DLI to 4th grade and Mandarin to 3rd grade for the 2023-24 school year. Throughout her career, Giuliana has accomplished numerous accolades and awards. The most recent, March 2023, was the REB Distinguished Leadership Award for Principals. With this award, Giuliana is creating a STEAM & Innovation Learning Lab for OB Gates. Other professional highlights are as follows: Virginia Dual Language Immersion Network, Advocate; Presenter Virginia Association of Elementary School Principals Conference, June 25, 2022; Presenter International Dual Language Immersion Conference, March 2, 2022; Presenter Virginia Dual Language Immersion Network Conference March 19, 2022; Served as a US Principal Delegate to China 2019; Special Olympics School of the Year, VA 2015; Equity Advisory Committee participant 2015-present; Participant in developing Standards Driven Report Cards for CCPS, 2012-2015; RVA Active School 2014-2019 consecutively; Presenter for T-TAC William & Mary on developing Inclusive Master Schedules for Elementary, Middle, & High School, October 2015; Recipient of the Chesterfield Chamber of Commerce School Award for Business Partnerships, September 2012; Facilitated VDOE & T-TAC Self Determination project for students with disabilities and parents & presented for Virginia Department of Education; Participant in Statewide Communities Practice for Excellence (SCOPE), University of Virginia, 2010; Mentor for upcoming Administrators, Leadership III, Chesterfield County Public Schools, 2010; Participated in Next Generation Leadership Academy, University of Richmond, 2008-2009; Instructor for Virginia Commonwealth University for aspiring special education teachers, Adjunct Professor for VCU, 2007; Developed a Co-Teaching Brochure for Special Education with Best Practices for CCPS, 2006.

Areas of expertise: Special Education; Dual Language Immersion Education; Equitable & Inclusive Teaching Practices; Educational Innovations, STEAM & Technology; Professional Development; Curriculum & Instruction; Assessment & Evaluation