A month ago, I stopped by Holy Angels Catholic School to say hello and to check out how the synchronous instruction experience was going. It was so good to see the students and teachers working together and engaged in learning. The highlight of my visit came when the school principal, Kathleen Filippelli, told me about a new teacher assistant that she hired at the start of school year. “Do you remember Brishae’ Dobyns?” she asked. Of course I did! Brishae’ had been a scholarship student at Father Charles Hall Elementary, then went on to Holy Angels. When she graduated from Holy Angels, she received a special Partners In Excellence – Gildee Scholarship that allowed her to attend Seton Keough High School. I remember Brishae’ greeting me on many occasions when I visited each school.
When Brishae’ graduated from Seton Keough in 2017, she was accepted into and began attending Coppin State. She is currently in her senior year at Coppin, where she is pursuing a degree in Criminal Justice. Upon graduating, she plans on attending law school to become a lawyer.
Brishae’s academic schedule at Coppin allowed her to look for a job this summer, and her search led her back to Holy Angels. “It feels good to be back at a familiar place from my childhood. This campus is a place that I called home for 8 years,” she shared.
“I am a proud product of the Archdiocese of Baltimore Catholic Schools. I am where I am today because of what I was able to learn from my teachers. I see coming back to Holy Angels as me doing my part to give back.”
For Brishae’, having known her new boss since the 3rd grade, is extra special. “Ms. Filippelli loves me as if I were her own. She is one of the people I thank for all of my successes. By giving me so many opportunities and by instilling strong values within me, she has helped me so much!”
It was so good to see Brishae’ again – and to see her happy and excited about her future. We are all rooting big time for her as she does double-duty: working with the Holy Angels kindergartners while finishing up her college degree!