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Brentwood alumna Stacey Brdey, former principal of Southeast Elementary School and newly appointed assistant superintendent for elementary education, has a habit of talking to herself. She keeps a running list of her stream of consciousness on her phone – a parking lot for her ideas, fleeting thoughts and lingering questions.

For example, one day, she jotted down this directive: “Nurture relationships across the district.” Another day, she wrote, “Relationships rooted in trust, respect and compassion can take a good school and make it extraordinary.”

She said this reflective streak shapes how she communicates with the Brentwood community – something she’ll be doing much more of soon. On Sept. 25, Brdey was appointed to succeed Ann Palmer – also a Brentwood graduate – who will retire in December.

“Brentwood made me who I am today,” Brdey said. “I don’t doubt that for a single second.”

When she was 19, she worked as the manager of a Brentwood Dunkin’ Donuts, where she learned that building positive relationships can color your experience of the world and help you achieve your goals. Asked to describe her leadership style, she frequently cites building intentional, meaningful relationships as being central to her work.

“So much of what we want and need in education costs so much money,” she said. “But relationships are free, and the only investment is in time.”

Brdey has dedicated her career to the district that helped shape her. She began as a special education teacher in 1998 and quickly became known for her student-centered approach and her ability to build strong partnerships with families. Her expertise in individualized instruction and student support led her to serve as a Committee on Special Education chairperson, then as assistant principal at Southwest Elementary School, and later as principal of Southeast Elementary School.

Brentwood made me who I am today. I don’t doubt that for a single second. — Stacey Brdey

In addition to her district service, she shared her knowledge with future educators as an adjunct professor and literacy center supervisor at Dowling College, where she also completed her own studies. She earned a bachelor’s degree in special education, a master’s degree in literacy, and professional diplomas in school building and district leadership. Each step of her professional journey has been guided by a deep belief in equity, collaboration and the power of education to change lives.

“She is an exceptional building leader who leads with positivity and intentionality,” said Jennifer Booth, a reading consultant at Southeast Elementary, of Brdey. “She embodies kindness into every interaction she has with both educators and students alike. She possesses an innate ability to form positive connections with all teachers and students, which allows them to reach their highest potential.”

For Brdey, the farewell tears haven’t come yet. It still doesn’t feel real. As of this writing, she hadn’t yet informed her students that she will no longer work in the building.

“I have to realize that it’s not goodbye – it really isn’t,” she said while also acknowledging that on her last day at Southeast, those tears will come.

“Mrs. Brdey is a special kind of leader – the kind who makes everyone around her feel valued,” said Cecilia Chiarelli, library media specialist at Southeast Elementary School. “She’s a gift to this community, and her kindness and generosity touches everyone she works with. She leads from the heart, with grace and intellect. She brings out the best in everyone. She has been a treasure to me, the entire Southeast staff, all the families, and especially the children.”

Outside of work she spends time with her husband and four children when she can (two live in Dallas), but she said she’s often glued to her work laptop despite her location. Her only hobby, she said, is reading. She has her head in two books at any given time, and ever since she was a little girl, she’s loved to enjoy a story by the sea. A speedy reader as a child, Brdey said she used to place a Post-it note inside the book to stop her from reading too much in one sitting.

 “I wouldn’t allow myself to read because I didn’t want the story to be over,” she said with a laugh.

As it turns out, Brdey’s story with Brentwood schools is far from over – it’s entering an exciting new chapter.