2021 Pre-K and Kindergarten Conference

Gerry Brooks has been an educator for 25 years, starting his career as a 3rd grade teacher in Palm Bay, Florida. He has served as an elementary principal for 15 years. After initially using humorous videos to encourage the staff at his school in Lexington, Kentucky, Brooks has become a national encourager for teachers through social media and speaking events. He is a voice for teachers, but his passion is leading others to be responsible for their own personal climate and culture in the workplace. His book, Go See the Principal, outlines strategies for taking on this responsibility.

After a rough start in life, Tommie Mabry became the first person in his family to graduate from high school in 2007. He would go on to earn his B.A. in Education from Tougaloo College, his M.A. in Child Development, and, this year, a Doctorate from Jackson State University. After his undergraduate studies, he was hired as a teacher by the same Jackson Public School District that had suspended and expelled him many times during elementary and secondary education. Today, Mabry is the author of three books and the Director of Enrollment at his alma mater, Tougaloo College.