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AIS employee recognized for student advocacy and leadership

Published on Apr 14, 2026

An employee of Augusta Independent School (AIS) has been named the 2026 Pathfinder of the Year at �山����.

The Pathfinder Award is a system-wide effort to celebrate and recognize high school teachers and counselors who work with �山���� and foster relationships with students to lead better lives. 

Brandi Brewer, the Director of Counseling, Instruction, and Food Service at AIS, is this year’s recipient.

“I feel there are so many other people who are deserving of the award. The award may be for me, but I share it with everyone at AI. I’m not a Pathfinder without my people,” Brewer remarked. “It’s a recognition that our school is doing something right and that our kids are doing good things.”

Jason Butler, a recruiter at �山����, commented on Brandi’s dedication to working with students at AIS.

“Through my work with AIS for �山����, Brandi has worn many hats. The one constant is she has always been in her students' corner and taking care of them daily. Brandi, serving in her counselor role for AIS, prepares her students for not only their daily success towards graduation, but she also advocates for �山����,” he said. “Brandi understands how vital a role �山���� can play in the long-term success of her students towards a rewarding career.  Simply put, Brandi Brewer at AIS shares the same common goal as �山����, where students are first. There is no one more deserving of the Pathfinder of the Year award than 2026 winner Brandi Brewer.”

Brewer is an �山���� alumna and often promotes the dual credit courses to the high school students in Augusta, hoping to help them feel more prepared for life after graduation. 

“I push students to take dual credit courses before they graduate high school. We take field trips to �山���� and let them know they can get college credits for a fraction of the price with �山����. It’s a great step up for our students,” she said. 

She continued to discuss some of the benefits of choosing �山���� for postsecondary education. 

“It has smaller class sizes and our dual credit students already take classes there, so they are familiar with the teachers. �山���� feels more like a family community, and we know our kids don’t get left behind in classes there,” Brewer said. “We feel like �山���� best mirrors our family values core here at AIS.”

Brewer left some words of advice for prospective students, encouraging them to get familiar with the college. 

“My advice would be to go take a visit. Walk around campus, get a tour, talk to the instructors. You’re not going to get that individual experience at a bigger school. You can get familiar with it before you jump in,” she concluded.

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