FBISD TRUSTEE GRAYLE JAMES – Grayle James (left) currently serves as the President of the Fort Bend ISD Board of Trustees. She was elected to Position 2 on the FBISD Board of Trustees in May 2012. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley, and her Secondary Education teaching credentials in mathematics and physical sciences from California State University, Bakersfield. Grayle has volunteered for many years at multiple FBISD schools, and has served as the PTO/PTA President for Lakeview Elementary, First Colony Middle School and Kempner High School. In the past, she has served as PTO/PTA Treasurer and VIPS Coordinator, as well as serving on the FBISD Parent Advisory, Health Advisory and Discipline Advisory committees. Grayle and her husband, David, have three children, who all currently attend or have graduated from FBISD schools.
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INTERVIEW: Grayle James (Board President for the FBISD Board of Trustees) answers a few questions asked by Aubrey R. Taylor about her dream, mission in life, outlook for 2015, and advice to others striving to achieve their dream
QUESTION #1
AUBREY R. TAYLOR: What was life like for you as a child growing up?
GRAYLE JAMES: I grew up in California where my family has farmed since the 1850s. My mother worked on the farm and everyday I would accompany her to work. When I started school, she went to work while I was at school and then would pick me up after school and take me with her back to work. I learned to appreciate hard work, completing the job you are given, and the loyalty of my family to the family business.
GRAYLE JAMES: I grew up in California where my family has farmed since the 1850s. My mother worked on the farm and everyday I would accompany her to work. When I started school, she went to work while I was at school and then would pick me up after school and take me with her back to work. I learned to appreciate hard work, completing the job you are given, and the loyalty of my family to the family business.
QUESTION #2
AUBREY R. TAYLOR: What did you dream of becoming as you were a child growing up?
GRAYLE JAMES: When I was growing up, I dreamed of working in an office and not on a farm! When I had the chance to go to college, I didn't know what I wanted to study. I especially remember telling my mother I didn't want to be a math teacher.
AUBREY R. TAYLOR: What did you dream of becoming as you were a child growing up?
GRAYLE JAMES: When I was growing up, I dreamed of working in an office and not on a farm! When I had the chance to go to college, I didn't know what I wanted to study. I especially remember telling my mother I didn't want to be a math teacher.
QUESTION #3
AUBREY R. TAYLOR: Did you achieve your childhood dream, or did it evolve into something different?
GRAYLE JAMES: My childhood dream evolved because in my 20s I finished college and became a math teacher. I also taught science to high school students. I loved teaching and inspiring students to pursue their dreams.
AUBREY R. TAYLOR: Did you achieve your childhood dream, or did it evolve into something different?
GRAYLE JAMES: My childhood dream evolved because in my 20s I finished college and became a math teacher. I also taught science to high school students. I loved teaching and inspiring students to pursue their dreams.
QUESTION #4
AUBREY R. TAYLOR: What is your mission in life?
GRAYLE JAMES: Currently, my life's mission is to be a supportive, loving wife and to raise my children with love and integrity. At the same time, I am devoted to helping every student in Fort Bend ISD reach their full potential.
AUBREY R. TAYLOR: What is your mission in life?
GRAYLE JAMES: Currently, my life's mission is to be a supportive, loving wife and to raise my children with love and integrity. At the same time, I am devoted to helping every student in Fort Bend ISD reach their full potential.
QUESTION #5
AUBREY R. TAYLOR: Do you have a recent accomplishment you would like to share?
GRAYLE JAMES: In my role on the Fort Bend ISD School Board, I have participated in numerous accomplishments. School Board Trustees work as a team. We must work to build consensus on our path forward and have agreement in order to accomplish any goal. I have worked hard to facilitate our Board's team-building over the past year. As a result, we have hired Dr. Charles Dupre as superintendent of schools and he has demonstrated leadership, integrity and commitment to our students. Also. we have gotten voter approval for a $484 million Bond Package for FBISD. This will enable us to keep up with the growth in our community.
AUBREY R. TAYLOR: Do you have a recent accomplishment you would like to share?
GRAYLE JAMES: In my role on the Fort Bend ISD School Board, I have participated in numerous accomplishments. School Board Trustees work as a team. We must work to build consensus on our path forward and have agreement in order to accomplish any goal. I have worked hard to facilitate our Board's team-building over the past year. As a result, we have hired Dr. Charles Dupre as superintendent of schools and he has demonstrated leadership, integrity and commitment to our students. Also. we have gotten voter approval for a $484 million Bond Package for FBISD. This will enable us to keep up with the growth in our community.
QUESTION #6
AUBREY R. TAYLOR: What is your outlook for 2015?
GRAYLE JAMES: Looking ahead into 2015, our school district expects continued growth. We have a major project currently underway to align feeder patterns in our school system. We expect to complete this work in January. We also expect to open a new elementary school in 2015 and another in 2016. Additionally, the district will work to improve our technology infrastructure to facilitate the education of every student.
AUBREY R. TAYLOR: What is your outlook for 2015?
GRAYLE JAMES: Looking ahead into 2015, our school district expects continued growth. We have a major project currently underway to align feeder patterns in our school system. We expect to complete this work in January. We also expect to open a new elementary school in 2015 and another in 2016. Additionally, the district will work to improve our technology infrastructure to facilitate the education of every student.
QUESTION #7
AUBREY R. TAYLOR: What advice would you give to someone out there striving to achieve their dream?
GRAYLE JAMES: To those striving to achieve their dream, I would say, "Great job! The first step to achieving something remarkable is to have a dream." Next I would advise the following:
a) Never give up! -- Obstacles are part of life and are unavoidable.
b) Don't be afraid of change! -- Circumstances change, opportunities change, and life will change; As our perspectives change, we can learn and grow and achieve. If we "fight" change, we will always struggle.
c) Be a problem solver! -- When you encounter an obstacle, challenge it and conquer it. Always, think creatively and find solutions; Excuses are not a wise option because problems rarely go away by themselves. Problems need problem solvers to fix them!
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AUBREY R. TAYLOR: What advice would you give to someone out there striving to achieve their dream?
GRAYLE JAMES: To those striving to achieve their dream, I would say, "Great job! The first step to achieving something remarkable is to have a dream." Next I would advise the following:
a) Never give up! -- Obstacles are part of life and are unavoidable.
b) Don't be afraid of change! -- Circumstances change, opportunities change, and life will change; As our perspectives change, we can learn and grow and achieve. If we "fight" change, we will always struggle.
c) Be a problem solver! -- When you encounter an obstacle, challenge it and conquer it. Always, think creatively and find solutions; Excuses are not a wise option because problems rarely go away by themselves. Problems need problem solvers to fix them!
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"I would like to take this moment to thank FBISD Trustee Grayle James for finding value in our vision to uplift, inspire, inform, and empower others in association with our "2014 Year-End Review" edition of Houston Business Connections Magazine." -- Aubrey
As President and CEO of Aubrey R. Taylor Communications, I encourage you to support the people, small business, organizations, corporations and ministries who support our mission and vision to uplift, inspire, inform, and empower others as we climb.
Best regards,
Aubrey R. Taylor
Publisher of Houston Business Connections Magazine
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**** Please do not forget that your support can enable us to reach more people with our message of encouragement, hope, inspiration, and empowerment. So email me your request for a hard-copy of our “2014 Year-End Review” edition of Houston Business Connections Magazine today at: (aubreyrtaylor@gmail.com). And don’t forget that our ad prices start at a very low $40.00 dollars per issue. WE CAN ACHIEVE OUR INDIVIDUAL AND CORPORATE GOALS AND DREAMS BY FINDING CREATIVE WAYS TO WORK TOGETHER!!!
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PEOPLE FEATURED ON THE COVER: Businessman Craig Joseph (owner of Houston's This Is It Soul Food). FBISD Superintendent Dr. Charles Dupre, TSU Program Director Dr. Michael O. Adams (Director of the eMPA and MPA programs at Texas Southern University), Judge Loyd Wright (District Probate Judge for Court #1 in Harris County), Businessman Bill Frazer (2015 Candidate for Controller of Houston), Controller Ronald C. Green (City of Houston Controller), Mayor Allen Owen (the mayor of Missouri City), Judge Christine Riddle Butts (District Probate Judge for Court #4 in Harris County), Grayle James (the FBISD President of the Board of Trustees), and Educator/Attorney Carroll G. Robinson (2015 Candidate for Controller of Houston). Email your request to (aubreyrtaylor@gmail.com) if you would like to have a copy of our "2014 Year-End Review" edition of Houston Business Connections Magazine mailed directly to your home or business.
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Boasting accreditation from the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs and Administration (NASPAA), the master of public administration (MPA) program at TSU is a 48-credit-hour program that has produced key change agents in human resources, international development and policy. For more information about these programs, please contact Dr. Michael O. Adams, 713-313-7760.
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Launched in Fall 2013, the emergency management and homeland security (EMHS) program is designed to create graduates with extensive theoretical and applied knowledge in emergency management and disaster research. The Bachelor of Science in Emergency Management and Homeland Security prepares students for careers in emergency management and public safety careers and will introduce students to the all-hazards approach, emergency disaster management phases, risk assessment, prevention and management, counter-terrorism, consequence management, mitigation, and recovery. For more information about these programs, please contact Dr. Michael O. Adams, 713-313-7760.
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Boasting accreditation from the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs and Administration (NASPAA), the master of public administration (MPA) program at TSU is a 48-credit-hour program that has produced key change agents in human resources, international development and policy. For more information about these programs, please contact Dr. Michael O. Adams, 713-313-7760.
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Launched in Fall 2013, the emergency management and homeland security (EMHS) program is designed to create graduates with extensive theoretical and applied knowledge in emergency management and disaster research. The Bachelor of Science in Emergency Management and Homeland Security prepares students for careers in emergency management and public safety careers and will introduce students to the all-hazards approach, emergency disaster management phases, risk assessment, prevention and management, counter-terrorism, consequence management, mitigation, and recovery. For more information about these programs, please contact Dr. Michael O. Adams, 713-313-7760.
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About Carroll G. Robinson
Carroll G. Robinson is an Associate Professor and a former Associate Dean of External Affairs at the Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs at Texas Southern University (TSU) in Houston, Texas. Professor Robinson is currently a member of the Board of Trustees of the Houston Community College System (HCC) and a Citizen Member of the Board of Trustees of the Houston Firefighters’ Relief and Retirement Fund. He is a former member of the Board of Directors and Board of Advisors of K9s4COPs. He is also a past chairman of the Houston Citizens Chamber of Commerce.
Professor Robinson is a former At-Large (elected citywide) member of the Houston (Texas) City Council. As a member of the City Council, Professor Robinson chaired the city’s Transportation, Technology and Infrastructure Committee.
Professor Robinson represented the City of Houston on the Board of Directors of the Houston-Galveston Area Council, the local council of regional governments. He served as a member of the Board’s Budget Committee and was a Vice Chair of the Transportation Policy Council. He also represented the City of Houston on the Board of Directors of the Alliance for I-69 Texas and TEX-21, a statewide transportation coalition of elected officials, business leaders and transportation and infrastructure professionals.
Professor Robinson is a former member of the Board of Directors of the National League of Cities where he served as a member of the Board’s Finance Committee and was a member of the Energy, Environment, and Natural Resources Steering Committee. He is a former member of the Texas Municipal League’s Utilities and Environment Committee, and Transportation Task Force; Advisory Board of the Texas Environmental Defense Fund; a past President of the Texas Association of Black City Council Members where he was also a member of the Housing Committee; a former member of the National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials (NBC-LEO); a former member of the Texas Attorney General’s Municipal Advisory Committee (1998); Founding Chairman of the Democratic Leadership Council’s Local Elected Officials Network; a former Chairman of the National League of Cities Democratic Municipal Officials; a former member of the Democratic National Committee (DNC); and a former General Counsel of the Texas Democratic Party.
Prior to his election to the Houston City Council, Professor Robinson was an Associate Professor at the Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University. He has also worked as an adjunct Professor at South Texas College of Law.
Professor Robinson has worked in the Texas Legislature as Chief of Staff and General Counsel to Texas State Senator Rodney Ellis. He received his Bachelor of Arts (with Honors) in Political Science from Richard Stockton State College in Pomona, New Jersey (where he received a Certificate of Academic Accomplishment in African-American Studies) and his Juris Doctorate from the National Law Center at George Washington University in Washington, D.C.
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