Lillian M. Brinkley, Member Emeritus

Veteran educator, consultant and civic leader,
Virginia Beach, Virginia

Lillian M. Brinkley is a veteran educator of 37 years, and the recipient of numerous local, state and national awards. She is known across the United States and internationally for her work in creating schools of success for all children. She is a leading Educational Consultant.

Ms. Brinkley spent 37 years in the Norfolk, Virginia Public Schools, serving as teacher, instructional leader, adult education specialist, reading teacher and elementary principal for 29 years. As such in 1985, she was selected by Virginia Governor Charles Robb to create and give leadership to Virginia's first and only Model Elementary school. In this capacity, Ms. Brinkley led the metamorphosis of Norfolk's lowest academic achieving school from failure to its present position as one of Norfolk's highest achieving schools.

Under Ms. Brinkley's leadership Willard Model School served as a model for educators from across the nation and many foreign countries. Because of her expertise in the education of the urban learner, she has been called upon by schools, corporations, universities and government agencies and other organizations including the White House, the Department of Education, National Aeronautics and SPACE Administration, Department of Overseas Schools, RJR Nabisco, Microsoft, the Getty Foundation, National Association of State School Boards, the National Safe Schools Coalition and numerous others.

During her career, she was recognized by more than 100 professional organizations, state and federal agencies and civic and social groups. Significant among these were National Distinguished Principal, United States Department of Education, Outstanding Educator of the Year, Parent Magazine, Top 4 Educators in the United States, National Institute of Minority Economic Agencies, and the Don Lacy Award for Educational Excellences from her principal colleagues in Virginia. She has appeared on numerous national television shows, such as Good Morning America, the Today Show and CNN Live.

During her busy career, she also was elected and served as President of the 28,500 member National Association of Elementary School Principals.

Upon her retirement in 1999 as principal of the Willard Model School, Ms. Brinkley received accolades for her educational leadership from individuals and organizations including President Clinton, NAESP, ASCD, VAESP, Urban League, The Boyer Center, the United States Department of Education, Head Start Association, the Virginia Department of Education, the Norfolk School Board and the Norfolk City Council.

Ms. Brinkley is actively involved in civic and religious organizations in her community including the YMCA, YWCA, Urban League and Volunteer Connections. She serves as educational consultant for the Headstart Program in Southeastern Virginia, and education program advisor for Norfolk State University, a member of the Advisory Board of the Boyer Center, and served for 6 years on the National Board For Professional Teaching Standards, where she chaired the Principal's Advisory Board. She continues to serve professional groups and organizations and travels extensively to share and assist principals, schools, teachers, and other organizations in improving educational opportunities for all children.

Lillian M. Brinkley earned her bachelor's and master's degrees from Virginia State University.

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