KIPP, the Knowledge Is Power Program, is a national network of free, openenrollment, college-preparatory public schools dedicated to preparing students in underserved communities for success in college and in life. There are currently 82 KIPP schools in 19 states and the District of Columbia serving more than 20,000 students. While 1 in 5 children living in underserved communities enroll in college, 85 percent of KIPP students matriculate to college. Our vision is that, one day, all public schools will help children develop the knowledge, skills, character, and habits necessary to achieve their dreams while making the world a better place. At KIPP, we believe that talented adults make the difference in the important work that we do with students nationwide. Many important individuals make KIPP what it is: passionate teachers and school staff who ensure their students excel, dedicated school and regional leaders who make bold decisions every day, and regional and foundation support staff who help KIPP meet high expectations as it grows across the country. KIPP’s team and family consists of individuals with a range of different backgrounds and experiences that share a common mission: they work to make a difference for students, every day. Learn more about joining the team and family at www.kipp.org.
My students are my daily reminders of how important this work is. Avise Hayes Seventh Grade English Language Arts Teacher, KIPP Philadelphia Charter School Spelman College, BA; Chestnut Hill College, M.Ed Avise began her teaching career as a Teach For America corps member in Philadelphia, her hometown. In her third year Avise was selected to oversee the school’s reading curriculum program, providing both instructional support and professional development. At KIPP Philadelphia, Avise is a teacher, reading curriculum coordinator, and chair of the seventh grade team.
I believe that education is the vehicle for building a better future. Evita Garza Talent Recruitment, KIPP Houston Wellesley College, BS KIPP Academy Middle School alumna Born and raised in Houston, Evita is an alumna of KIPP Academy Middle School. She recently returned to help KIPP Houston formalize the efforts of their recruiting department. She is focused on learning all she can about creating successful educational programs as she begins her career.
KIPP is strong because we trust in the team of talented people that have committed to doing the work every day.
Quinton Vance
Executive Director of KIPP NYC Elementary and Middle Schools University of Oregon, BA; St. Peter’s College, M.Ed Quinton began his career in Newark, NJ as a kindergarten teacher through Teach For America. After teaching at KIPP Academy in the Bronx, Quinton became school principal, leading the school for six years. He now overseas instruction at KIPP NYC’s elementary and middle schools.
KIPP has the potential to revolutionize public education.
Kelly Wright Senior Learning Officer, KIPP Foundation Founder, KIPP Adelante Preparatory Academy, San Diego Carleton College, BA; Harvard University, M.Ed Kelly first entered the classroom as a Teach For America corps member in Phoenix in 1996. As a dual-language teacher, Kelly truly learned what is possible when a group of dedicated educators, families, and community members unite in a grassroots fashion—an excellent school. She built on these lessons when she founded KIPP Adelante. The absolute faith that her founding parents placed in her school vision continues to drive her in working with KIPP’s newest leaders. In her current role, Kelly oversees the KIPP Foundation’s school leadership programs and initiatives.
I am proud that I have been blessed with the opportunity to affect real change in the Newark community.
Sha Reagans
School Leader, TEAM Academy, a KIPP School Syracuse University, BA; Bank Street College, M.Ed Sha came to TEAM Academy as a founding teacher, and assumed the role of school leader in 2005. Prior to that, he was a Teach For America corps member in Harlem. Sha chooses to continue classroom teaching for part of his day, and is in his tenth year as an educator. In 2005, he won the US Department of Education American Star of Teaching Award for his accomplishments in the classroom.
My goal for my students is that they see themselves as capable writers with something worth saying.
Rachel Heuisler Sixth Grade Writing Teacher, KIPP Infinity Charter School, New York Duke University, BA; Hunter College, M.Elementary Ed Hailing from a family of educators, Rachel played school with her stuffed animals for years before trying it out with real students. After college she taught pre-kindergarten at the International School of Brussels, then moved to New York to recruit urban principals with New Leaders for New Schools. Rachel returned to the classroom, eventually joining KIPP Infinity, where in 2009, 100 percent of the sixth grade class scored at or above grade level on the state English Language Arts exam.
Every day I am inspired and humbled to work with such talented KIPPsters... big and small.
Mazher Ahmad
Chief People Officer, KIPP Foundation University of Pennslyvania, BA; University of Chicago, MBA Mazher joined the KIPP Foundation in 2008 as a member of the leadership team to oversee the organization’s human capital function. Mazher leads KIPP’s talent management, recruitment and development initiatives, calling on his prior experience in strategic HR, international business and management consulting from the private sector. Education runs deep in Mazher’s family, as he is the proud son of two educators and brother of two teachers.
At KIPP, zip code does not dictate outcome. Every student has the opportunity to graduate from college because their school prepares them to excel. Sehba Ali Chief Academic Officer, KIPP Bay Area Schools University of California Berkeley, BA; Stanford University, MA Sehba founded KIPP Heartwood Academy in her hometown of San Jose, CA. Her path to school leadership began through Teach For America, in 1998. In Heartwood’s second year, it placed in the top five percent of all California middle schools, regardless of population served. Sehba now serves on the KIPP Foundation board and guides the instructional focus of the KIPP Bay Area Schools region.
I am inspired by what is possible. Steven Epstein Chief Academic Officer KIPP Austin Public Schools Duke University, BA; National Louis University, M. Educational Leadership Steven serves as the Chief Academic Officer in Austin, where he oversees instruction in the growing region. He became a teacher through Teach for America in 2001 after two unsatisfying career ventures into law and business. After teaching elementary school for two years in south Texas, he moved on to teach middle school with KIPP Austin. Steven served as principal of KIPP Austin College Prep prior to serving in his current role.
If the day-to-day operational function of a school isn’t perfect, I’m convinced that less magic happens in the classroom.
J. DeLano Ford Regional Director of Operations, KIPP New Orleans Schools Morehouse College, BA; Cornell University, MBA DeLano joined KIPP New Orleans Schools (KNOS) in August of 2008 as a Broad Resident in Urban Education. He is responsible for both the design and implementation of KNOS’ regional operational plans, ranging from information technology, recruitment, and data management to the day-to-day functions of all schools. DeLano has also completed work in education at Chicago Public Schools, London School of Economics and charter schools in Winston-Salem, NC, his home town.
Working at KIPP allows me to help kids– growing up in environments similar to the one I grew up in– to successfully get to and through college. Freddy Gonzalez Principal, KIPP Austin College Prep Brown University, BA; New York University, MA Freddy grew up in a very small border town in south Texas. After graduate school, he was looking to move back to Texas, and found KIPP Austin College Prep. Freddy taught ELA, social studies, writing, and other subject areas while serving as the chair for the eighth grade team. After attending the KIPP School Leadership Program, he became assistant principal and then principal.
I’m inspired by our students: their hard work, poise and accomplishments.
Marcia Aaron Executive Director, KIPP LA Schools University of Oregon, BA Marcia’s first career was in investment banking, where she analyzed retail companies. She retired in 2003 and spent a good deal of time traveling, particularly in Asia. A member of the board of KIPP Academy of Opportunity in Los Angeles, she was selected to formally take the lead of KIPP LA’s growth and management as its executive director. Having grown up in a small town in Oregon, she learned that education was her greatest asset. Marcia now wants to make sure every child has that same opportunity.
I want to be a change agent in my community. Lupita Montes
Director of Marketing, KIPP Houston Trinity University, BS KIPP Academy Middle School alumna Lupita is a recent Trinity University graduate who considers KIPP co-founder Mike Feinberg and all of KIPP to be part of her family. She started in KIPP 15 years ago as a part of the first class with Mike Feinberg and Dave Levin. After earning her BS in Business Administration, Lupita has returned home to work for KIPP Houston, where she works to continue building the program that had such an impact on her life.
We work hard to show people that demographics do not have to equal destiny. Marc Mannella Chief Executive Officer, KIPP Philadelphia Schools University of Rochester, BA; National Louis University, M.Ed As a science teacher in Baltimore and Philadelphia, Marc tired of watching very bright students struggle with basic math. He came to KIPP to take on education reform on a larger scale, founding KIPP Philadelphia Charter School in 2003. Marc is now guiding KIPP’s growth in Philadelphia, aiming for a cluster of ten high performing charter schools over the next decade.
I love working with people profoundly dedicated to the mission of providing opportunity to all. Nolan Highbaugh General Counsel, KIPP Foundation University of California Berkeley, BA & MPP; Stanford University, JD Nolan joined KIPP in 2003 following work at the law firm of Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, LLP. He also worked with the “I Have a Dream� Foundation - Oakland, which helps children from low-income communities achieve higher education by providing them, among other things, guaranteed tuition support. As general counseL, Nolan provides KIPP schools, regions, and the Foundation with legal advice and support. Prior to law school, he was a budget and policy analyst for both the Chief Administrative Office of Los Angeles County and the Office of Mayor Willie Brown Jr. in San Francisco.
KIPP is about turning dreams into reality.
Jamal McCall Executive Director, KIPP Memphis Hampton University, BS; National Louis University, M.Ed Jamal’s journey with KIPP began in Atlanta as a founding vice principal. In 2006 he became principal of KIPP DIAMOND Academy in Memphis, his wife’s hometown. As executive director of KIPP Memphis, Jamal is now leading the effort to grow the number of KIPP schools serving that city.
When I heard that KIPP strives to get students “to and through� college, I knew I wanted to be a part of that vision. Rachel Jewett
Fifth Grade Science Teacher, KIPP Austin College Prep University of Southern Mississippi, BS A native of Houston, Rachel grew up knowing she wanted to become a teacher. When she realized how many children do not have equitable educational opportunities solely because of where they live, she decided to work to change that. Rachel is in her fifth year in the classroom, and her first as a KIPP teacher in Austin.
If ever in doubt or wearied, I need only to look across KIPP for certainty and rejuvenation. Rhonda Kalifey-Aluise Executive Director, KIPP New Orleans Schools Tulane University, BA; University of Virginia, MA Sp.Ed; University of New Orleans, MA Rhonda became a Teach For America corps member in 1992 and has been involved in education ever since. Five years ago she and others saw the opportunity to bring KIPP to New Orleans, and was compelled to work on a more systemic level to make an impact. Rhonda has been involved with the region since the beginning, first as the founding board president and now as the executive director.
I am inspired by great leadership— with a sense of purpose. Terence Johnson
Director of Leadership Pathways, KIPP Foundation Colorado State University, BA; University of Colorado, MA
Terence has spent over 20 years teaching, leading, and developing and supporting school leaders in underserved communities. He came to KIPP five years ago to oversee the Foundation’s efforts in guiding instructional best practices, and now works with the leadership programs available for teachers, principals and others in KIPP schools. Terence brings experience as a school leader in Denver and Houston to his work with emerging leaders—work he considers his greatest joy.
My vision for public education is that all children can and will learn, and will be given equal opportunity and resources to do so. Constance Jones Leadership Program Project Manager, KIPP Foundation University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, BS; Harvard Business School, MBA Constance is the daughter of farmers who received the opportunity rare in their community to attend college. Constance’s experiences motivated her to join the KIPP Foundation, where she has the pleasure to work with school-based leaders across the country. As project manager, Constance leads her team’s leadership program evaluation and design efforts to ensure that KIPP leaders continually receive world-class professional development.
I’ve come to understand that KIPP is about continuous self-discovery and growth.
Richard Bailey
Data Coach, KIPP DIAMOND Academy University of Chicago, BA; University of Memphis, MA Teaching
Originally from Columbia, SC, Richard graduated from the University of Chicago in 2006. He moved to Memphis as a Teach For America corps member, staying on to teach at KIPP DIAMOND Academy. At his school, Richard is known for the dramatic academic gains that he made with his seventh grade students.
At KIPP, I’ve been blessed to teach among some of the most talented teachers in this country. Reginald Greene Sixth Grade Mathematics Teacher, KIPP AMP Academy University of Chicago, BA Reginald’s life began with an early foundation in volunteerism that persisted through college, where he worked at a juvenile delinquent center in upstate New York, then later on in southside Chicago at Sue Duncan’s Children Center. He began teaching after college, and is now entering his sixth year in education. He has served as a fifth grade mathematics, social studies, science and writing teacher, as a dean of students and as an ethics instructor.
What’s great about KIPP is that it is not about a specific school model; it’s about doing what’s right for each individual student.
Ryan Hill
Executive Director, TEAM Schools, a KIPP Region University of Wisconsin-Madison, BA; National Louis University, M.Ed Ryan grew up in Wisconsin, where his father worked as a teacher and his mother as a nurse. After college, he joined Teach For America, where he was first inspired to open a school with more freedoms for teachers. Ryan opened TEAM Academy, a KIPP school, in 2002, which has since grown more than four-fold. TEAM has now expanded to a region, with three more schools in Newark, serving over 1,100 students. 100 percent of TEAM alumni have been admitted to college preparatory high schools.
-Constance Jones
KIPP Foundation 135 Main Street, Suite 1700 San Francisco, CA 94105 www.kipp.org