On the front of his vehicle, you may notice a Green Bay Packers license plate. Even though his dad was an all pro athlete, excelling as a lineman for the Packers, Dr. Terrence A. Brown is not most proud of that.
What is “much more important” to him, is the fact that his mother, Shirley Brown, was an educator. It is why his educational philosophy is best represented in the words of Epictetus–”Only the educated are free”. Additionally, it is why he is thrilled to be back in the district that shaped him.
Brown, a former West Memphis High School Blue Devil, East Junior High School Red Imp, and Weaver Elementary School student, believes “school districts are the backbone of a community”.
“I want to be here. This is a destination job for me,” continued Dr. Brown. He feels that he can really help make a difference in the West Memphis School District.
His main goal as superintendent is to “make West Memphis a level 1 district”.
Dr. Brown has had success with what he calls “turnaround situations” in other school districts. In fact, during the 2021-2022 school year when he served as Executive Director of College Career and Technical Education in Memphis-Shelby County Schools, he was able to ensure that students “earned in excess of 6,500 recognized industry certifications or licenses.” Before he led this charge beginning in 2017, there were a few hundred certifications or licenses earned.
Additionally, when Dr. Brown served as principal at Kingsbury High School in Memphis, he was able to get his school to meet Adequate Yearly Progress for the 2007-2008 school year. This was the first time the school met the goal in “6 consecutive years”.
The WMHS Class of 1985 graduate continued his education at Henderson State University, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Education. He also obtained a Master of Science in Education from Arkansas State University and a Doctor of Education degree from the University of Memphis.
Even though he is an Ed. D, he is most proud of his accomplishments at Kingsbury High School, the CCTE growth in Memphis-Shelby County Schools, and his success in the Tennessee Department of Education’s Southeast Region, where he was Regional Superintendent from 2008-2013.
“The Southeast Region was considered the least desirable of the four regions developed in 2008. However, under my direct leadership, the Tennessee Department of Education recognized more schools in the Southeast Region in less than five years. We accomplished more improvement and notoriety than any other region within Memphis City Schools,” commented Brown.
Dr. Brown feels that “West Memphis is a good, organic hometown” and he is excited to begin serving the students, teachers, staff, and stakeholders of WMSD. To Dr. Brown, “Blue is all that matters.”
Brown begins his new role on July 1st.
