Hamish Brewer

As an award-winning principal at Occoquan Elementary for five years, Hamish Brewer achieved significant improvements in student achievement. During his leadership, economically disadvantaged students at Occoquan Elementary saw a remarkable increase in reading proficiency from 59% to 87% over four years. Brewer revolutionized the learning environment with a deskless classroom setup, 360-surround sound audio enhancement, and a 1:1 tablet ratio for enhanced student engagement. He holds a B.A.

in Education from Auckland University, an M.Ed. from Virginia Commonwealth University, and an Ed.D. from Virginia Tech. Brewer’s administrative approach focused on streamlining procedures to prioritize student learning and utilizing data-driven practices for continuous analysis.

He championed increased parent involvement, offering free English classes and informational nights. His impactful work earned him numerous accolades, including United States NAESP Nationally Distinguished Principal and Virginia Principal of the Year. Other recognitions include the VAESP School Bell Award, ASCD Virginia Impact Award, and Principal of the Year honors from Northern Virginia Magazine, Education Dive, Prince William County Public Schools, and Omega U. His elementary school was distinguished as a Nationally Distinguished Title 1 School, and he subsequently turned around a challenging middle school in Virginia.

He is also featured in the skateboarding humanitarian documentary “Humanity Stoked.” Continuing to inspire educators and communities globally with his ‘Be Relentless’ message, Hamish Brewer remains at the forefront of educational disruption. His unique blend of hands-on school transformation, high-impact speaking engagements, and media presence solidifies his position as a leading voice in education, demonstrating a proven ability to drive significant positive change.