About Our Founder

Laquesha Brannon Wilkins, A-GoT ECD, B.A. Elem.Ed, M.Ed, M.A., Ed.D

Greetings, Parents & Families, I am Dr. Laquesha Brannon Wilkins, your new Founder of the Authentic Exposures Academies Educational Management Organization (EMO). I would like to introduce myself and share a little about myself as I am sure we will have many moments to collaborate throughout your student’s academic experiences. I am a native of SC, and have lived in Charlotte, NC for 17 years, and currently reside in Gastonia, NC. I have served in many leadership capacities (many concurrently); Middle School Principal and Assistant Principal, Dean of Students, Academic and Literacy Facilitators, Middle School Lead, Teacher Mentor, TEACH Mentor, Supervisor of Masters Candidates, SAM in the National SAM Innovation Project, Testing Coordinator, MTSS Lead, AIG Coordinator, Title I Coordinator, and Teacher of the Year 2014-15. I have provided professional development via conferences and cohorts locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally sharing content relevant to social-emotional learning, restorative practices, equitable practices, blended instruction, alternative education, and authentic teaching methods. In my spare time I am a non-profit founder of an organization directed to support at-risk populations. I demonstrate a restorative, not punitive approach, which has resulted in great success with numerous student populations (EC, AIG, EL, elementary, middle school, high school, alternative, specialty/special needs, and charter). My passion for leadership and measured success, wealth of knowledge, accountability focus, continual growth (professionally and academically), equitable focus, and collaborative approach has proven to build cultural capacity. I have obtained an Associates degree in Early Childhood Development-Special Needs from Spartanburg Technical College (now Spartanburg Community College); Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Limestone College; Masters in Elementary Education from Grand Canyon University, a Middle Grades Language Arts add-on, Master in School Administration from Gardner-Webb University, and Doctoral degree in Organizational Leadership at National University.
My objectives as Administrator are:

to ensure that every student has a voice, understands accountability, possesses a sound toolkit for academic, personal growth, and success
build collaborative, experiential moments that offer exposure to service learning and global awareness through lifelong learning
to encourage and support the development of teacher leaders, strong collaborative Home-School partnerships.

I would like to conclude by sharing that I practice an open-door policy. It is my belief that TRANSPARENCY builds RELATIONSHIPS and relationships build TRUST. As we strengthen our school climates (and yes, that includes You, Parents 🙂) it is my hope that we collaborate fluidly.
Thank you, in advance, for trusting Your Scholar’s educational experience to Us.

YOUR CART

Laquesha Brannon Wilkins, A-GoT ECD, B.A. Elem.Ed, M.Ed, M.A., Ed.D