Braxton Brady, new head of school for The Brook Hill School, said God opened a lot of doors for him to land in East Texas. “This is the first time we’ve lived outside the Memphis area. So, it’s been a very intriguing move for our family … we’re excited about it.” (Jennifer Scott/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

BULLARD — Braxton Brady’s passion for teaching and fostering faith has long been the guiding force in his career as an educator. Now, stepping into the role of head of school at The Brook Hill School, he is poised to uphold and advance this vital mission within the institution.

“I am extremely passionate about making sure the spiritually, socially, emotionally, academically, and athletic needs are all met,” Brady said. “It’s important to be passionate about impacting the next generation for the glory of God and for the good of the Tyler community and beyond.”

The Brook Hill School’s former head of school was Rod Fletcher, who served in the role for 19 years. He announced in May 2023 he had accepted a new position as executive director of Campus By The Sea on Catalina Island in California.

Brady’s experience makes him a good match to fill the leadership role.

“I have a combination of sociology, education and theology … my three disciplines that melded into what becomes a Head of School job,” Brady said. “That’s what got me here today.”

Brady attended the University of Memphis as an undergraduate, then he obtained his Master’s degree from Covenant Theological Seminary. He has been a private school educator for more than 25 years for various schools in the Memphis area, most recently at Evangelical Christian High School.

“The question that everybody asks is, ‘Why in the world did you move to East Texas?’” Brady said. “God just very clearly opened the door. I was not looking to leave my school … it is an unbelievable school. I thought I would retire there. I thought that was my last job.”

Brady said he received a phone call from The Brook Hill School but he had no idea about the school or even the community. It wasn’t until he spoke with a student he mentored that Brady felt intrigued.

“He went on and on and raved about Stephen Dement,” Brady said. “He said ‘You have to listen to them. It’s an awesome place.’ So I turned my stuff in and started talking, met Steve … and you can’t meet Steve and not get fired about the vision he had for this place. We really hit it off.”

Dement is the founder of The Brook Hill School and is chairman of the board. He has served as acting head in the interim.

After talking it over with his family, specifically his wife and youngest daughter, Brady made the decision to accept the position and make the move from Memphis to East Texas.

“God opened a bunch of different doors for us to get here,” Brady said. “I grew up in Memphis, Tennessee … lived there all my life. This is the first time we’ve lived outside the Memphis area. So, it’s been a very intriguing move for our family … we’re excited about it.”

He and his wife Carrie have been married for 27 years. They have three children: Preston, 25, who coaches football at Florida State University; Bennett, 21, who is a student-athlete at the University of Tennessee; and Emma Sanders, who will be a junior at The Brook Hill School.

“I’m not as familiar with the Tyler area yet as I am with Memphis, but I am a Christian and so I wanted to work in an area in a school system that allowed me to live out my faith and express my faith publicly,” Brady said. “Sometimes in the private world, you can do that … sometimes in the public world you can’t do that.”

Brady prides himself on being student-centered.

“I care about the kids and I want what’s best for our students,” he said. “Brook Hill is already a great school and there are great things always happening, and we have a great group of faculty and staff who care about our students. I can be the visionary, idea guy but I am going to be involved with the day-to-day life of the school. More importantly, I’m going to be involved with the lives of the students.”

While overseeing a student body of over 860 may appear daunting, Brady approaches the task with a ‘divide and conquer’ mentality, ensuring efficient management and personalized attention for each student, as well as the families and the staff and faculty.

“It’s easy to get lost in a school of 500 … even 50, but I can promise you that there’s not going to be a kid here at this school who’s not going to be known,” he said. “I’m really good with names … it’s a gift that I have (and) I want to get to know everybody. I want every kid at Brook Hill to be known, nurtured and loved by somebody on this campus.”

Dement said Brady’s character is what makes him such a great fit for The Brook Hill School.

“Braxton’s heart is for students and he believes intentional discipleship is an essential practice in preparing this generation for their future in Christ’s kingdom,” Dement said in a press release. “We believe his value for relationships and vision for the role they play in a student’s education will strengthen and deepen Brook Hill’s culture.”

For Brady, the transition has been not only providential but deeply meaningful.

“I don’t think there’s going to be anyone more excited to be a part of the Brook Hill community than me,” Brady said. “I firmly believe that my role as the head of school is my calling. I feel like God has called me to this — wired me for it. So, I’m extremely passionate about launching kids into the next phase of their lives.”

Brady will formally begin his role effective July 1.

The Brook Hill is a private, Christian day and boarding school located at 1051 N. Houston St. in Bullard.