40-Year Educator Named Altrusa 'Outstanding Woman of Today'

November 1, 2006

Marilyn Brooks, longtime Plano ISD educator, was recently honored by Altrusa, Inc., with its "Outstanding Women of Today...Builder of Tomorrow" Award. She was recognized at an October 13 luncheon honoring more than 30 award nominees and benefiting Altrusa of Richardson.

"Ms. Brooks is a master communicator," shared Dr. Doug Otto, Superintendent of Schools."Her leadership is both tenacious and gracious."

Ms. Brooks began student teaching in Plano ISD in the late 1960's at what is now the Cox Building, located at Avenue H and 15th Street. Her first contract position was as an English teacher at Plano High School, now Williams High School.

Marilyn Turner Brooks

Throughout her 40-year career as an educator and administrator for Plano schools, thousands of children and employees have been the recipients of her talent and vision.

"One of the highlights of my career has been to be part of planning the opening of the district's new schools. We now have 20 secondary schools, 42 elementary schools, three early childhood schools and two special programs centers," said Ms. Brooks. "We've never been content to rest on our laurels in PISD. We are constantly improving. That is what keeps it exciting and fun."

Employment, Plano ISD (1967-2006)

• Associate Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction
• Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction
• Assistant Superintendent for Communications and Student Services
• Director of Communications
• Elementary Principal
• Middle School Assistant Principal
• High School Assistant Principal
• Secondary Counselor
• English Teacher / Team Leader

Awards & Honors

• Selected as one of the 100 Heroes of Plano ISD
• Honored by Collin County Children's Advocacy Center, Inc. as a Community Mentor
• Honored by Plano West Rotary with a Paul Harris Lifetime Achievement Award
• Honored by Plano ISD Council of PTAs with Lifetime Membership

Contributions to Plano ISD

Ms. Brooks has served since 1980 as a key staff person on district budgets. She has assisted with the planning and designing of schools built since 1968. She has provided major contributions to several programs, including:

• Practical Parent Education
• PISD Key Communicators
• Curriculum major initiatives, including process writing, elementary curriculum integration, secondary curriculum project, 9-10 block scheduling, 11-12 International Baccalaureate, staff development, master's degree program
• Western States Benchmarking Consortium
• State of Texas Curriculum Audit (guided for district)
• team teaching concept
• elementary counseling
• elementary health services
• middle school grade alignment
• district strategic planning
• library services
• career education
• programs for students at risk
• multi-ethnic committee (staff liaison)
• district crisis plan
• several bond programs
• district video production
• drug and alcohol education
• district calendar committee (chair)
• PTA/O President's Council (staff liaison)
• district advisory committees (member/supervisor)
• district elections administrator
• district policy manual

Community Activities

• March of Dimes
• Crisis Center of Collin County
• Plano Chamber of Commerce
• American Heart Association
• Plano Child Guidance (founding board)
• HCA Willow Park Hospital
• Boy Scouts of America Bois D'Arc District
• Practical Parent Education (founding group)
• Pastor-Parishoners Committee, First United Methodist Church
• United Way
• Junior League of Plano (advisor)
• Heritage Farmstead
• Plano Cultural Arts Council
• Keep Plano Beautiful
• Rotary Club (several offices, including president)
• Private Industry Council
• Texas PTA (life member)
• Delta Kappa Gamma