My story consists of a long history in Baldwin County.

I was born and raised in Milledgeville, Georgia. I am blessed to have two wonderful parents, Frank and Bessie Nelson. I am also blessed with two loving brothers, Frank and Teon Nelson. I have the distinct pleasure of being the wife to a loving and passionate husband, Raymond Braziel. I am also the mother to a sparkly-hearted, happy son, Artrail Braziel.

I attended the public schools in Baldwin County. My formal education began at Northside Elementary School. I also attended West End Elementary, Carver Elementary, Davis Middle, Boddie Junior High, and Baldwin High School in Milledgeville, Georgia. After graduating from Baldwin High School in 1990, I began my college career at Georgia College. I graduated from Georgia College in 1994 with a bachelor’s degree in Middle Grades Education. I then received my master’s degree in School Counseling from Fort Valley State University. I also received a specialist degree in Counseling and a certification endorsement in Educational Leadership from Troy State University. I am a certified Teacher Support Specialist and Bridal Consultant.

During my fifteen years as an educator in Baldwin County, I have served as a middle school teacher, alternative school teacher, high school counselor, elementary assistant principal, curriculum director, federal programs director, student service director, professional learning director, deputy superintendent for curriculum and instruction, and now, superintendent. The operative word in the preceding statement is serve (to be a servant) because I see my work as serving children, parents, teachers and staff, and the community.

 As the leader of our system, I am a passionate believer in our ability to provide a quality education for all of our children. In so doing, we must continuously analyze our current strengths and deficiencies, whether at the grade level, content area, school level, or system level (both instructionally and operationally). We then must assemble strong teams to plan systematically for the needed improvement. A plan for continuous improvement is developed and put into action. Finally, the plan is monitored. Everyone must be on the same page, moving in the same direction. We must never be satisfied with mediocrity. We must create a culture in constant pursuit of excellence…never being deterred by challenges or excuses. Although we have much progress to make, I am immensely proud of our students and staff for the vast improvement we have already made as a system.

 Clearly, this is a team effort --- no one school, no one department, no one administrator is solely responsible. Each one of us must have a clear vision of our direction, and each of us must work efficiently and effectively to do our part. It is about high expectations for all (students and staff) and providing the support to reach those expectations. It is about finding solutions and choosing never to make excuses. It is not about who gets the credit; instead, it is about doing what is best for children together as a team. [A former educator once said, "No one of us is as smart as all of us." He was right.]

I promise to the best of my ability to lead by example. I cannot promise to be mistake-free, but as superintendent with a strong work ethic, I will uphold the following values:

Trustworthiness (Integrity and Loyalty)

Fairness

Respect

Caring

Accountability

Finally, in our efforts to move to higher ground, I promise to love our children and staff, to listen, to encourage, and most especially, to pray. I am confident that we will get the job done on behalf of our children, and I will do my part to lead us there. Our efforts are working. Every year, we are moving to higher ground. Our journey of service continues. We will get there. I am confident that we will. For our children, we must "Educate to Graduate".