Sarah Van Brimmer, M.Ed.
Sarah Van Brimmer, M.Ed., Certificate in School Management & Leadership is a dedicated and results-driven educational leader with over 20 years of experience in teaching and school administration. She currently serves as Principal of Vero Beach Elementary in the School District of Indian River County, where she focuses on literacy development, instructional leadership, and school improvement initiatives. Her career began as a long-term substitute working with students with disabilities, and she earned her professional teaching certificate before teaching middle school for seven years. Driven by her passion for literacy, Sarah transitioned to elementary education, serving as a literacy coach at a turnaround school, where she helped improve student reading outcomes and develop teacher capacity.
Throughout her career, Sarah has demonstrated expertise in school leadership, instructional design, and educator mentorship. She served as Assistant Principal at Vero Beach Elementary and later as Principal at Palm Bay Elementary in Brevard County, where she implemented systems that led to the school achieving a B grade for the first time since 2012. Her leadership philosophy emphasizes collaboration, data-informed decision-making, and creating professional learning opportunities that empower teachers and foster student success. She holds a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from the American College of Education and a Certificate in School Management & Leadership from Harvard Business School Online.
Sarah’s approach to education centers on continuous learning and a commitment to equity and student achievement. She believes in modeling instructional excellence, pulling small groups of students herself, and working alongside her staff to ensure high-quality teaching and learning. Her work has earned her recognition as Assistant Principal of the Year for her district and Teacher of the Year at Sebastian River Middle School. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Sarah values family, wellness, and lifelong learning, which she incorporates into her leadership philosophy and personal life, guiding both students and educators toward meaningful growth and success.
• Master's Degree in Educational Leadership
• Certificate in School Management and Leadership from Harvard Business School Online
• Professional Teaching Certificate
• American College of Education – Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership
• Harvard Business School Online – Certificate in School Management & Leadership
• University of Florida – Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Journalism
• Assistant Principal of the Year, School District of Indian River County
• Teacher of the Year, Sebastian River Middle School
• Partnerships with The Learning Alliance to support literacy and student achievement
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to having leaders who invested in me and my willingness to work hard and take advantage of the opportunities they provided. I’ve been fortunate to work in a district with a high-performance culture, which allowed me to learn from other leaders and gain practical, on-the-job experience that has shaped my professional path.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I’ve received is to always continue learning and be a lifelong learner. Learning, reflecting, and growing are integral to professional and personal development, and embracing this mindset brings me joy and fulfillment.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Continuously seek opportunities to learn, reflect, and grow. Being a learner will help you develop the skills and confidence to lead effectively and make a meaningful impact on students, staff, and the broader community.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges is raising student proficiency in underperforming or turnaround schools. An important opportunity lies in partnering with organizations such as The Learning Alliance, which provides professional training and extended learning programs to help schools achieve ambitious goals in literacy and student achievement.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I value continuous learning, student success, and providing a strong foundation for youth so they can thrive in their education and future careers. In my personal life, family is most important—I cherish traveling with my three teenage sons and my husband, who is also a school-based administrator. Practicing yoga and maintaining balance are also essential to my well-being.