Why Brooke? Insights from Insia Haveliwala and Jason Lopes

How did you first hear about Brooke Charter Schools and what drew you to apply?

Jason: I went to a Teacher’s Lounge event at Roxbury Community College where different schools were tabling. Brooke stood out to me, and I had a great conversation with their Director of Recruitment. 

Insia: I joined Generation Teach, where I met Adrianna and Jen, two Brooke teachers who encouraged me to apply. Hearing how happy and supported they felt at Brooke really motivated me to go for it.

Can you share a bit about your background and what inspired you to become a teacher?

Jason: In high school, I worked as a teaching assistant for a summer program called Steppingstone, which opened my eyes to education and inspired me to work with young people, especially Black and brown students like myself. What solidified my decision was realizing I’d only had two male teachers of color my entire life. That lit a fire in me to pursue teaching seriously.

Insia: My kindergarten teacher was my inspiration—I still have a book she gave me. I went to college planning to do pre-med, but I soon realized I loved psychology more. During an internship in Sri Lanka, I taught eighth graders. When I moved here, I became a middle school math tutor and realized middle school was the perfect age group for me. I eventually decided to teach science because it incorporates curiosity, math, writing, and discovery—all the things I love. 

What were your main considerations when choosing where to teach?

Insia: Community and a sense of belonging. Feeling welcomed is so important. When I feel appreciated and like I belong, I’m motivated to give my best, and at Brooke, I feel valued.

Jason: Professional development was a big factor for me. This is my fourth year teaching and I believe every good teacher has something to improve on. I need to be at a school that prioritizes and takes pride in developing great teachers. During my recruitment process, it became clear Brooke was that kind of place.

What was your experience with the recruitment process at Brooke? Did anything in particular stand out to you?

Insia: The interviews felt like conversations. It wasn’t nerve wracking or overly formal. I really appreciated that—it allowed me to just be myself.

Jason: My visit stood out to me the most. Seeing the K-2 morning meeting and student work celebrated everywhere. During my demo lesson, I was nervous about how quickly I could connect with the students, but they were engaged right away. It showed me the culture here encourages kids to participate and share their thoughts. 

How have you felt supported in these early months by leadership, other teachers, or the community? 

Jason: As a young Black male teacher, it’s easy to feel self-conscious or anxious about messing up, especially when there are so many eyes on you. Danya (my assistant principal) has been super consistent in checking in with me. She’s incredibly communicative and always makes a point to ask how I’m doing—not just academically, but personally. My team has also been a huge source of support. 

Insia: As a woman of color, I’ve also felt like I had to constantly prove myself. Now, whenever anyone walks into my classroom, I feel great because I know I have the support I need, and I trust in what I’m doing. Danya has been a big inspiration as she is always helping me grow, both as a teacher and as a person. My team is also amazing. That’s exactly what I wanted in a school community.

What advice would you give to someone interested in applying to Brooke?

Jason: I would advise them to thoroughly do their research on the school and make sure that it’s something they are looking for. For me, visiting the school gave me a lot of insight, and really informed my decision to come to Brooke. Also, have a growth mindset. If Brooke is somewhere you truly see yourself working, be prepared to consistently self assess honestly, and reflect on how you can improve or strengthen as a professional in education. 

Insia: Be yourself. Brooke values authenticity, and one of the most empowering aspects of working here is that I’ve never felt the need to pretend or hide who I am. I don’t struggle with imposter syndrome because I feel genuinely valued for being me. So, bring your authentic, fearless self—you’ll thrive here if you do!