A new presence swept into the school like a breath of fresh air—or a storm on the horizon, depending on whom you asked. The rumor mill had been working overtime since it was announced that a new principal would be taking the helm. No one knew much about them, only that change was coming, and everyone was on edge. The silence was thick with anticipation, and everyone wondered the same thing: What kind of leader had just stepped into their world?

Elisabeth Brodt, the new principal of Tompkins High School, entered with a mission: to provide students with a positive, safe, and healthy learning environment.

“I went to a small high school in Oklahoma, and I was part of the orchestra and color guard at my school. This led me to have an interest and passion in the education field. Therefore, I went to college to become a music teacher and graduated from Oklahoma State University,” Brodt said. “After that, I taught at five different schools as a traveling music teacher.”

Brodt’s high school experience as an active member of her school’s extracurricular programs shaped her passion for education, eventually leading her to a career in music teaching. However, when she moved to Texas, her career took a turn toward administration.

In 2001, Brodt became the first orchestra director at Cinco Ranch Junior High. During this time, her principal and assistant principal encouraged her to take on leadership roles, ultimately inspiring her to pursue a master’s degree in education. This led to her involvement in opening Beckendorff Junior High. Later, she helped open Seven Lakes High School as an assistant principal, a position she held for four years. After that, she served as principal at Adams Junior High for five years. Now, as the principal of Tompkins High School, Brodt aims to elevate the school in both academics and safety.

“We are already wearing our IDs so we know who belongs to our school, making sure the doors are locked, and fostering positive relationships with our staff and students so they feel safe and come to school to learn and grow while building healthy relationships,” Brodt said.

Brodt’s top priority is ensuring that both students and faculty have a safe and positive environment. She has enforced the ID badge rule, requiring all students to wear their badges visibly to confirm their association with Tompkins. Additionally, all doors must remain locked, preventing unauthorized access to the campus. These measures are crucial for maintaining security and ensuring that only authorized individuals can enter the premises. By implementing these practices, Brodt has significantly reduced potential risks and improved the overall safety of the school.

Outside of her role as principal, Brodt holds strong family values and believes that her personal life plays an essential role in shaping her leadership.