Justin Brooks, though a relatively new addition to the Williston faculty, has quickly become one of the most beloved members of the community for his unwavering positivity and dedication to his students.
Brooks started working in the Williston History Department in the Fall of 2022. Since then, both students and faculty members appreciate his approach to teaching and him checking in with students consistently to ensure that their workload is not overwhelming. Brooks has distinguished himself not only through his engaging teaching methods but also through his consistent efforts to ensure his students feel supported. Whether by adjusting assignments to prevent overwhelming workloads or taking time to check in on how students are coping, Brooks has made it clear that their mental health and overall well-being are just as important as their academic success.
Tom Johnson, Head of the Williston History Department, notices and appreciates Brooks’ student-oriented teaching style.
“He is a very student-first teacher,” Johnson told The Willistonian. “I think a lot of teachers are student-centered, but I know that he checks in with where kids are in his class in terms of their stress and mental health on a daily basis.”
With his inspiring ability to connect with students, it’s no surprise Brooks seems like a natural in the classroom. When discussing his motivations for becoming a teacher, it’s clear his passion for education runs deep, stretching back to his earliest memories.
“I feel I was always called to [teaching],” Brooks shared. “My first memory of wanting to be a teacher was in first grade when I’d actually steal the chalk from the chalkboard. And then [my teacher] also had this bin of extra handouts. So, I would take a bunch of the extra sheets and then I would steal one of the pieces of chalk and I bring it home. And I would make my parents sit down and I would do a lesson for them on addition and, bless their hearts, they were just really, really supportive of it all. And so, from that moment, I really wanted to be a teacher.”
Quin James, a senior from Florence Mass. and member of Brooks’ advisory group, fondly remembers his experience in Brooks’ AP World History class and advisory.
“For the past three years, I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Mr. Brooks as a teacher, advisor, and ski coach,” Quin said. “He truly cares about each and every one of his students. Every morning before AP World, he would ask us how we were doing. And this wasn’t just to start small talk, he really wanted to know how we were holding up.”
Beyond the classroom, Brooks excels in his role as an advisor, going above and beyond what is expected of him.
“As an advisor he is a mentor, friend, and powerhouse of knowledge. In each and every meeting you can see how much he loves and respects each member of our group,” Quin said.
Parker Brown, a senior boarding student, also has positive things to say about Brooks.
“He is open,” she said. “He is also very passionate; he knows a lot about his time period and engages students in a unique and in-depth way.”
Brooks demonstrates what it means to truly care for the Williston community and its members, an impact that will undoubtedly stick with his students for years to come.
Michael Saliba, a boarder from New York City, had Brooks as his dorm parent last year.
“What I found really cool is he always says, ‘Hey, how are you? Like, how’s your day? He was always asking that stuff,'” Mike said. “Not everyone has an amazing day every day, but whether he was having a good or bad day, he always came off very positive and made other people feel good.”
In every role he takes on, whether it be a teacher, an advisor, or a dorm parent, Brooks exemplifies what it means to truly care for the Williston community and its members.
Parker summed it up best. “I love our little chit-chats,” she said. “We bump into each other every so often and it feels like there has been no time apart. He will tell me the sweetest things that always lift me up. He makes me feel like a good person, and student through his thoughtful words and feedback.”
It’s clear Brooks values the impact he has here.
“My job is not just to teach history but to show my students that they matter, that their voices matter,” he said. “If I can do that, I feel like I’ve succeeded.”
They’re not just here to learn facts,” he added, “they’re here to learn about themselves, to grow into the people they’re meant to be.”
