Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Brie Whitneybell

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Brie Whitneybell. Check out our conversation below.

Brie, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
What do I consider most important out of intelligence, energy, and integrity? I find integrity to be the grit of any personality because it shapes who we are. Our beliefs and morals, our honesty, and the way we persevere to achieve that greatness. Integrity is what stands out to me as an individual because it shows true character and how they overcome obstacles in life. We make decisions based on personal and past experiences and, over time, move forward in a manner that allows us to walk through with ease. Does everyone have the same moral compass? No. Our beliefs are rooted in how we were raised and how we feel about them, changing them over time. Intelligence and energy are also factors, setting you up to think about those choices, pondering the options to make a conscious decision to do what best fits your personal journey. Energy, or Aura, as many call it these days, creates that inner circle of people. We have people around us of similar frequency. One with a bright and sunny disposition tends to attract people of similar beliefs.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Brie Whitneybell. I am an educator of ten years in the K-12 system, and I am moving towards my second year in higher education. I recently started my Doctorate in Education with a concentration in Reading and Literacy. I have seen so many students of color struggle due to a lack of an equitable education, and I am eager to see research and create a framework that supports student learning. I am always attending sessions on literacy, MTSS, and the most updated research that will support student interventions.

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
What has served its purpose in my life? Ooph. This is an emotionally tough one because I am a hard-core people pleaser. I will do all of these things that cater to what is happening. It isn’t to kiss ass or to get ahead in life; it’s simply just a trauma response from my upbringing. In the last couple of years, with my current position, I have found that standing on my beliefs, going with my instincts, even telling it like it is, has been a breath of fresh air. I am working on my life because I respect myself enough to continue with the goals in my life instead of derailing them for others.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
There is always a time when people feel like they are giving up. Looking at your education and how you need to take an exam to pass, or rewrite that paper, or learn to do X, Y, or Z can often hinder the goals in front of us. The people in our inner circles have also caused me to question my beliefs and what I stand for.
When I was working on my master’s dissertation, I was framing multicultural text, book banning, and how it hindered students of color, all while using critical race theory and culturally responsive teaching as the foundation of that research. Knowing my topic, I was confident that I was going to do well. With some of the surveys I was producing, I gained a lot of negative feedback from teachers, threatening to report me to take away my license, or find out who my employer was to have me removed. I lost a lot of sleep and stressed out over the small things. Thankfully, my professor for that course had me look through a different lens, and it became so clear what my next steps were. I passed my dissertation with flying colors thanks to him.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
My public version and my real me do not stray from a “norm.” I am who I am. I am a bold, outgoing person who likes to hide under the covers at the end of the day with a book. I speak about my views and I educate those who don’t know facts, but I also have no problem walking away when someone is dismissive or wants to argue. Authenticity is a huge part of my life, and I don’t change who I am for anyone.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
I sure as hell would give 120% if no one praised me. At the end of the day, I am doing what I want to do because it makes me happy, it aligns with my goals and values, or supports someone near and dear to me. I have refrained from my goals and strayed far too long. It has taken a while to get back on track. The busy Brie, who has a goal or target in mind and doesn’t let anyone stop her. Not any more.

Contact Info:

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittany-whitneybell-04b52797/