Devona Burgess

Background

About Devona Burgess

Devona Burgess hails from Riverside, CA, and has resided in Fort Worth, TX, since 2016. Devona earned her undergraduate degree from CSU Stanislaus, her graduate degree from Capella University, and her Principal Certification from Lamar University. She has served in education for 23 years as a Special Education teacher, Pre-K teacher, Early Childhood Specialist, Title 1 Teacher, Data Analyst, Dean of Instruction, and Assistant Principal. Devona currently serves as the Principal at Edward J. Briscoe Elementary in the Fort Worth Independent School District. Her leadership approach is investing time in building relationships, constructively approaching conflicts, and sharing ownership. She believes this is an effective way to create a climate where everyone can take ownership and find value in their work to create change and sustain success! In the two years of serving as Principal at Edward J Briscoe Elementary, she and her team successfully helped move the campus rating from a D-rated campus to a B-rated campus, earning a distinction in Reading on the 2022 State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) assessments. Devona is dedicated to improving student achievement through collective, team-based approaches, direct lines of communication, and thorough planning. As an EC Specialist, she served the Early Childhood Department for five years and played an integral role in integrating the Pre-K curriculum. She collaborated with her team at the campus level to move students from not making adequate progress to meeting and mastering the state standards. During her five years at Van Zandt-Guinn Elementary, she was recognized as Teacher of the Year. She has actively participated in students' ongoing academic growth, helping the campus earn distinctions in Student Progress on the 2015 and 2017 State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) assessments. Devona has a passion for serving at-risk populations and desires to help make a difference in the lives of disadvantaged youth. Whether it is working with curriculum or serving at the campus level, Devona's core beliefs remain the same; all students can reach their full potential for academic and personal success when given the opportunity and resources.