Jimelle Fraser

• Teacher and chapter leader

Jimelle Fraser, a teacher and chapter leader at Brighter Choice Community School in Brooklyn’s Bedford-Stuyvesant, died on Jan. 14, 2026, at the age of 52. She is remembered by her colleagues for her positivity and her love of life, music and dancing.

Jimelle began teaching in 1998 in Brooklyn public schools, in which she taught her entire career. Jimelle started as a substitute, teaching for two years at PS 56, followed by two years at PS 304, where she became a full-time teacher in 2003 and remained, even throughout the school site’s transition and eventual merger to Brighter Choice Community School.

Jimelle was a teacher mentor and served as the chapter leader at Brighter Choice from 2018 until her death. She taught general education in an integrated co-teaching 5th-grade class and had previously been a science teacher and math coach.

“The kids loved Jimelle; they loved going to her class for science and STEM,” recalled her good friend and colleague Rachael Horsford, a paraprofessional and UFT paraprofessional representative.

Jimelle’s expertise in science and math was paired with an affinity for the arts. “She tried to incorporate students’ passion for art into whatever lessons we were doing,” said Ayanna Hinds-Marshall, Jimelle’s special education co-teacher and a close friend. “Jimelle was very artistic.”

Jimelle assisted with Brighter Choice’s theatrical shows and helped the students with choreography and singing, said music teacher Richard Nuñez, another close friend of Jimelle. Scott Benson, Jimelle’s longtime colleague who began working with her at PS 304, described her contributions to these shows in her role as an energetic emcee, saying, “She made it so much more fun with her up there presenting, talking and singing.” Jimelle was also known by her colleagues as a talented vocalist. “Musically, she was excellent,” said Nuñez.

Chapter members praised Jimelle as an upstanding and supportive chapter leader. “As a chapter leader, she was always there for us,” said Benson. “She was a great leader. Very intelligent,” Nuñez added. “Jimelle represented us well. She knew her stuff.”

Jimelle’s members appreciated her integrity, honesty and professionalism. “She never divulged any information; everything was very confidential,” said Hinds-Marshall.

“No matter what, Jimelle always listened to her members’ problems and made sure to do the right thing,” Horsford said. She added, “Even for me, being Jimelle’s friend, she would tell me if I was wrong. She gave great and wonderful advice.”

Jimelle also emphasized unity within the school community. “She was always about bringing everybody together,” said Nuñez. Jimelle encouraged positivity, even through multiple changes in the school’s administration.

Jimelle was close friends with many of her colleagues in the tight-knit community she fostered at Brighter Choice. Nuñez and Hinds-Marshall enjoyed taking trips with her during their summer breaks. Jimelle danced, sang, smiled and laughed a lot. She often said, “Let’s enjoy ourselves — you only live once!” and, “We only have one life to live.”

Jimelle is survived by her family, including her children, Joshua and Jade, and many close friends and colleagues.

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