Dr. Brione Minor-Mitchell

Principal, Cunningham Elementary School, CCSD
Executive Leadership Academy, Cohort 12

The Opening of a Health Clinic at Cunningham Elementary School – By Dr. Brione Minor Mitchell

The journey to opening the Health Clinic at Cunningham Elementary was a challenging yet rewarding endeavor that spanned four years, marked by perseverance, collaboration, and community engagement.

The project gained unexpected momentum one evening at a social worker’s dinner at Bahama Breeze. My attendance at this dinner, an event seemingly unrelated to my professional goals, would ultimately become the catalyst for turning a long-discussed vision into reality. That night, I found myself seated with Derrick Carrol, a social worker and friend of my husband. As we engaged in casual conversation, Derrick inquired about my work, and I mentioned that I was at Cunningham Elementary. To my surprise, Derrick responded with a statement that would change the course of our project: “I used to work at Cunningham. I worked in the health center, and we provided all kinds of care to the families in the area.”

This revelation was like music to my ears. For months, my supervisor and I had been exploring the possibility of reopening the health clinic at Cunningham, which had closed some years earlier. Derrick’s experience and connection to the previous clinic provided a crucial link between our aspirations and the reality of making the clinic operational again. He offered to help and took my contact information.

In the weeks that followed, Derrick and I began meeting regularly to discuss the potential of the health clinic. Derrick worked part-time at First Person’s Medical Clinic, the original clinic that had serviced our health center, making him an invaluable resource. Our conversations focused on understanding what the clinic had offered in the past and identifying the current needs of our community. Derrick’s insights were instrumental in shaping our approach and ensuring that the clinic would provide services that were not only comprehensive but also tailored to the specific needs of our families.

One of the significant milestones in this process was a meeting that Derrick arranged with Roxana, the then-CEO of First Person’s Medical Clinic. This meeting marked the beginning of a two-year period of diligent work to get the center ready for opening. Roxana shared our vision of providing accessible healthcare to the students and families of Cunningham Elementary and became a vital partner in our efforts.

Over the next two years, we worked tirelessly to bring the clinic to fruition. This involved not only logistical planning but also extensive consultation with the community. We understood that the success of the health clinic would depend on its ability to meet the genuine needs of the families it aimed to serve. To this end, we organized a series of meetings with parents, teachers, and other community stakeholders. These discussions provided valuable feedback and helped us fine-tune the services the clinic would offer, ensuring that it would be a trusted and relied-upon resource within the community.

Simultaneously, we navigated the various challenges that came with setting up a healthcare facility within a school environment. From securing funding and staffing to ensuring compliance with health regulations, each step required careful planning and collaboration. Roxana and her team at First Person’s Medical Clinic were instrumental in guiding us through these complexities, offering their expertise and resources to help overcome the hurdles we faced.

In addition to the community’s dedication, a core team of Clark County School District employees met weekly to ensure the health clinic’s successful opening. Dr. Monica Cortez, Lori Baumann, Sheri McPartlin, Lynn Row, and Janet Mullaney worked tirelessly to coordinate all aspects of the clinic’s establishment. Their diligence ensured that the clinic opened with fully badged employees and a staff ready to serve our students from day one. The collaboration among these team members was nothing short of amazing and greatly appreciated, highlighting the collective effort that made the Health Clinic at Cunningham Elementary a reality.

The final stages of the project involved the physical preparation of the clinic space, the hiring and training of staff, and the development of operational protocols. Throughout this process, the support from the Cunningham Elementary community was unwavering. Teachers, parents, and local leaders all played a part in bringing the clinic to life, contributing their time, ideas, and enthusiasm.

After four years of hard work, the Health Clinic at Cunningham Elementary finally opened its doors. The clinic now provides a range of healthcare services, from routine check-ups to more specialized care, ensuring that our students and their families have access to the medical support they need right within their community.

The (re)opening of the clinic on August 4, 2024, was more than just the culmination of years of effort; it was a testament to the power of community collaboration and the impact that dedicated individuals can have when they come together to serve a common purpose. This project not only enhanced the well-being of the Cunningham Elementary community but also reinforced the importance of accessible healthcare in fostering a supportive and thriving educational environment.

Reflecting on the journey, I am reminded of how a simple conversation at a dinner table can spark a movement that changes lives. The Health Clinic at Cunningham Elementary stands as a beacon of hope and care, a place where families know they can find the help they need, and it will continue to serve as a critical resource for our community for years to come.

About Dr. Brione Minor-Mitchell

Dr. Brione Minor-Mitchell (Brione) is an accomplished educational leader with over 20 years of experience in culturally relevant and responsive education. Her career is distinguished by a strong commitment to fostering student-focused environments that maximize learning experiences and elevate academic achievement across diverse cultural contexts. Brione has a proven track record of leading continuous school growth by cultivating a collaborative leadership culture and implementing inclusive, culturally competent education for both students and staff.

As the principal of Cunningham Elementary School in Las Vegas, Brione leads a diverse community, driving the development and implementation of building-level goals that prioritize student learning and well-being. Her leadership has been instrumental in establishing building-level priorities that align with community and district objectives, and she has successfully sustained professional learning communities throughout K-5 grade levels.

Before her current role, Brione served as the assistant principal at Richard Priest Elementary School, where she significantly decreased behavior referrals and chronic absenteeism, particularly among African American and Latino students. She also played a key role in improving overall school attendance and enhancing academic performance through data-driven instruction and strategic planning.

Brione’s expertise extends to curriculum development, special education, and urban leadership, with a specialization in relationship building and community engagement within African American and Latino communities. Her exceptional interpersonal skills have allowed her to build strong working relationships with parents, stakeholders, and school communities, facilitating the successful integration of initiatives designed to enhance the school environment.

Brione holds a Doctorate in Administration, along with a Master of Education in Urban Leadership and Administration and a Master of Arts in Special Education/Early Childhood, all from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). Her doctoral dissertation, titled “Voices From the Field: Black Women Who Have Successfully Transcended the Leadership Pipeline into Superintendency,” explores the barriers that Black women face in pursuing leadership roles in education, particularly superintendency. Throughout her academic journey, Brione has been recognized for her outstanding achievements, including graduating in the top 10% of her class, receiving the prestigious McNair Scholarship, and being honored with the UNLV Alliance of Professionals of African Heritage’s Honor Graduate Award.

Throughout her career, Brione has been dedicated to professional development, both for herself and her colleagues. She has led numerous professional development courses, including urban education, restorative justice, and curriculum training, resulting in improved test scores, attendance, and school climate. Her contributions to education have been acknowledged with several awards, including “Teacher of the Year” in the 2006-2007 school year.

Brione is an active member of various professional organizations, including the National Association for School Administrators, the Clark County Black Caucus, and the Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society. Her passion for education, coupled with her extensive experience and leadership skills, continues to drive her mission to prepare learners for the 21st century and beyond.

Follow Dr. Brione Minor-Mitchell on X at @brione_minor.