Walking into Kyle Brames’s classroom at Harrisburg High School, students see a math teacher who loves his subject. He guides them through calculus, statistics, and pre-calculus with the patience of someone who not only understands complex formulas but also knows how to break them down into pieces his students can manage. What they may not realize is that once the final bell rings, Brames steps into another critical role—as president of the Harrisburg Education Association (HEA), the district’s teachers’ union. In both roles, he is driven by the same motivation: helping people succeed.

Brames’s journey to Harrisburg started across the state line. He grew up in Petersburg, Indiana, graduating from Pike Central High School in 2007. He earned his bachelor’s degree in math education from Oakland City University in 2012, followed by a master’s in curriculum and instruction in 2017. That degree allowed him to teach dual credit courses, something he still takes pride in offering today. After seven years of teaching in Indiana, he and his husband moved to Carmi in 2019, where he joined Harrisburg Unit 3 just months before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted classrooms everywhere. Later, he completed an educational specialist degree in mathematics education from the University of Missouri, sharpening his expertise in the very field that excites him most.

In the classroom, Brames teaches Algebra II, pre-calculus, calculus, and statistics—several of them as dual credit courses through Southeastern Illinois College. That means aligning high school curriculum with college expectations, compressing timelines, and grading at a higher level. “Preparing a single statistics lesson can take hours,” he explained. “The level of work is higher, and that requires more from teachers too.” His goal is to ensure students leave his classroom prepared for whatever comes next—whether that’s college, technical training, or the workforce.

Outside the classroom, his role as president of the HEA puts him at the center of conversations that affect every certified teacher in the district, from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. Of the 148 certified teachers in Harrisburg schools, 138 are union members, a remarkable 93 percent. Brames is quick to emphasize that the association’s work is not just about contracts or negotiations—it’s about creating the best possible environment for teachers, which ultimately means the best education for students. “If teachers feel respected, supported, and secure, they can focus fully on why we’re here: educating kids,” he said.

Partnership is the foundation of his leadership. Since the arrival of Superintendent Dr. Dixon in 2023, Brames has seen the relationship between the district and the association strengthen significantly. “She’s incredibly transparent,” he said. “We talk almost daily. Sometimes I see her name on my phone and think, ‘What now?’ and I know she does the same with me. But that constant communication is huge.”

That openness paid off during the most recent bargaining session. Instead of a drawn-out process, negotiations moved quickly because both sides had already shared information and expectations. Brames and the HEA’s vice president were given access to financial data and early insight into the district’s proposals. “We had time to prepare before we even made it to the table,” he explained. “That transparency made everything smoother.”

For Brames, one of the most important aspects of partnership is accountability. He respects that Dr. Dixon is willing to own mistakes and correct them immediately. He holds himself to the same standard. “Leaders have to recognize when they’ve made a mistake, own it, and fix it,” he said. “That builds trust. And it works both ways—she tells me if we’ve overstepped, and I value that.”

Beyond negotiations, Brames has set his sights on expanding dual credit opportunities for students. He hopes to see more teachers pursue master’s degrees in their content areas so Harrisburg can offer a wider variety of courses without students having to leave campus. But that requires investment. “Getting the credentials is expensive and it’s extra work,” he noted. “I’d like to see stipends, scholarships, or other supports to help teachers pursue those degrees. That’s not just good for teachers—it’s good for kids.”

As his current term as HEA president nears its end, Brames reflects on the progress made and the work still ahead. One of his goals is to increase the association’s visibility in the community. “There was a strike years ago, and I think that left some negativity attached to the association,” he said. “We need to do more to show people what we do and why we do it. At the end of the day, it’s all for the kids.”