Presented with the opportunity to bring her experience and leadership to a comprehensive high school where she can make a meaningful impact, new Galileo High School principal, Ms. Deloris Brown is focused on creating a disciplined yet joyful environment where she can enforce, uplift, and motivate students to bring out Galileo pride.
Galileo’s rich history, diversity in student population, and tremendous potential is what drew Principal Brown to this school. “Throughout my career, I’ve been passionate about educational equity, creating opportunities for students, and building strong school communities,” says Ms. Brown.
Shortly after graduating from college, in 2007, Brown started her career in education in Illinois. At the age of 28, she was promoted to principal after previously working as an assistant principal but before that, she taught social studies for six to seven years before moving into administration as a principal in Urbana and Decatur, Illinois. Shortly after, she moved to California in 2020 to continue her leadership journey as a principal in Oakland prior to joining the SFUSD.
Her experience in education has taught her it’s not solely about academic success but also about understanding a student’s social and emotional needs. Brown says, “This understanding has helped me become a more well-rounded educator and leader”.
Ms. Brown also highlights the importance of following the school’s ROAR expectations, which include being respectful, organized, accountable, and resilient. She expects students to attend their assigned classes, show appropriate behaviors, and to treat their peers, staff, and teachers with respect.
“Academics are important, but so is supporting the student fully. Socially and emotionally,” says Brown, emphasizing her role as Galileo’s principal goes beyond the student’s academic success.
Brown wants to make the school community a happier environment while still setting clear responsibilities and consequences where she hopes to strengthen school culture, improve academic outcomes and ensure every student feels supported, challenged, and prepared for life beyond high school. She thinks the school should be a place where staff and students can have fun but still maintain accountability and self-control. “We should have joy and pride,” Brown says.
A goal Ms. Brown hopes to achieve is to develop more student leadership by inspiring students to take action and participate in decisions that influence the school. She puts an emphasis on shared leadership and equity. Instead of having one individual make decisions, she hopes to create a shared leadership experience for students and staff so they can contribute to the school community.
Additionally, Ms. Brown has also shared that a focus for her is the beautification of Galileo’s campus. Exterior painting of the campus is planned for May 2027, with the hopes of improving the school’s interior as well.
