As an alumnus from Lake Braddock and James Madison University, it seems Brett Garner, the new Systems of Support Advisor, is determined to bleed purple and gold forever.
Although it is not widely known what exactly his new job is, rumors that Garner has taken over as dean of students are false.

“Mr. Henderson’s job was the dean of students, and we do have a dean of students here,” Garner said. “I work hand in hand with Mrs. Rottenecker [current interim assistant principal and dean of students] helping to support students who are having issues with attendance…[However] I [also] figure out a way to help and support them with whatever they should need to get them in school.”

His experience as a student helps Garner relate to the students. During his days at LB, Garner not only excelled in athletics, including varsity baseball, but also in academics.

“What drove me here at LB was athletics,” Garner said. “My goal was to always play baseball, so I knew I had to take care of my business in school.”

His skills in baseball earned him offers to play for many large Virginian schools such as ODU, VCU and JMU, but ultimately he chose JMU. There, he became the starting catcher and senior-year captain of the baseball team. Winning many athletic-scholar awards, he kept his focus on school because he knew he needed a backup plan in case professional baseball did not pan out.

After graduating with a degree from the Physical Health and Education Teacher Education program, he came back to where his family and home was: Burke. To him, the transition back to Lake Braddock was one that came naturally.

“When I heard there was an opening [at LB], there was no way I wasn’t going to come back here because I had such a fantastic experience being a student here,” Garner said. “It was a no-brainer.”

The transition from student to staff was eased when Garner became re-involved with athletics as the head coach of varsity golf and an assistant coach for varsity baseball.

After four years as a physical education teacher, the time came for Garner to take the next step in his career.

The newly created job of Systems of Support Adviser opened a position that Garner felt his abilities in connecting with students would prosper.

“He’s good [at] that… [and] at keeping people in line,” sophomore Lamont Atkins said.

Atkins had Garner as his P.E. teacher for the past two years.

Although not all the students know him as well as Atkins, they do have a faith in his abilities.

“He seems caring, [that] he’ll be able to…catch on fast,” junior Malena Dicson said.

In his current position, Garner provides more personal support for the students than he would as dean of students.

“I can sum up my new job in two phrases: To support teachers and to provide support and interventions for students,” Garner said.

With his new position, he has the ability to create his own “class” by making connections with different students.

“Because I went here and I understand the good and bad things that Lake Braddock brings, I can connect with [the students] better,” Garner said.