Principal of the Year Shelia Brown empowers staff, students (video)

Dr. Shelia Brown is the 2016-2017 Magnet/School Choice Principal of the Year.

She is the principal of the Rosie M. Collins Sorrells School of Education and Social Services at Townview Center.

Brown grew up living in project housing in Arkansas, but would walk every day to her grandparents' house in a middle-class African-American neighborhood. "I virtually lived in two worlds," Brown said. "But each world taught me to do your very best, regardless of the situation. And I think that's what made me impact the lives of so many children."

In her early career, as a teacher and later assistant principal, she noticed economically disadvantaged students going through the lunch line to get their free meal tickets. "And I said to myself, 'That's me,' " she said. "And if I can impact their lives, they can have a better chance when they grow up."

She said she enjoys visiting with students, going into classrooms and empowering teachers so they, in turn, can empower students. Watch the video to learn more about Brown.