A native of the Teixeiras Quilombola Community in Mostardas, Rio Grande do Sul, Edmara Dias da Silva Brum transformed her story of struggle into a steadfast commitment to quality public education. Currently, the RBR Alumni serves as Municipal Secretary of Education, where she works to ensure equity, inclusion, and the appreciation of professionals in the education system.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
"I believe in the power of education to transform people and their reality," says Edmara, highlighting that her experience as a Black woman and quilombola is a pillar of her work. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The daughter of a farmer and a teacher\u2014her greatest inspiration\u2014she learned early on that knowledge is a powerful weapon against inequality. "My mother always fought to be able to study and encouraged me to never drop out, because knowledge is our weapon to fight against a prejudiced society," she recalls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Edmara began her career as a teacher, driven by the dream of ensuring that other Black children had opportunities to believe in themselves. "In my first year of teaching, I realized how much Black students didn't recognize themselves as such and felt inferior. So I began implementing Law 10.639\/03, bringing Afro-Brazilian history and culture into the classroom," she says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As a public administrator, she argues that quality education isn't built alone, but collectively. "We value each professional in the network and establish partnerships to strengthen literacy and special education. The entire school community influences students' development," she explains. Notable initiatives include contracts with specialized companies to support literacy and continuing education projects for educators working with neurodivergent children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n