printFisher Fellows
Aaron Bass
Plans to open KIPP DuBois Collegiate Academy in Philadelphia, PA
Previous Roles: Upper School Dean at KIPP Philadelphia Charter School; Executive Director of Breakthrough Fort Lauderdale; Middle & High school teacher in Atlanta
Why I want to be a school leader with KIPP: "I believe in the concept of Ujima (collective responsibility.) KIPP allows me the ability to create an environment where the youth of my community are able to fashion a better world than the one provided for them."
Ellen Davis
Plans to open KIPP Ascend Primary in Chicago, IL
Previous Roles: Dean of Curriculum and Instruction, Pre-Kindergarten Teacher, and Miles Family Fellow at KIPP SHINE Prep in Houston; Recruitment Director at Teach For America; Teach For America Corps member (Phoenix, 2003)
Why I want to be a school leader with KIPP: "I see the power of elementary education. I see pre-kindergarteners reason through complicated scientific thinking, kindergarteners model algebraic concepts, and first graders who write metaphors with the ease of great poets. This is achievement every child can attain if provided the opportunity. KIPP elementary schools provide this and more, which is why I teach and lead at KIPP."
Glenn Davis
Plans to open KIPP Lead High School in Gary, IN
Previous Roles: 2008 Excellence in Teaching award winner; Founding Math Teacher, Sixth Grade Level Chair and Miles Family Fellow at KIPP LEAD College Prep in Gary, IN; Coro Fellow at Coro New York Leadership Center; Teach For America Corps member (New York, 2004)
Why I want to be a school leader with KIPP: "The most important thing is to at any moment be willing to give up who you are for who you might become." -Charles DuBois
Margarita Florez
Plans to open KIPP Comienza Community Prep in Los Angeles, CA
Previous Roles: Recruitment & Selection Manager at KIPP Foundation; Second Grade Teacher in Oakland, CA; Teach For America Corps member (Los Angeles, 2003)
Why I want to be a school leader with KIPP: "Elementary (K-4) students and families of East Los Angeles need more schools that will prove the possible - that all students will learn and be successful in college and life. Our vision and core values aim to build a collective spirit through which children feel responsible for their own success and work intentionally to support the success of others in their classroom, their school and their community."
Tresha Francis
Plans to open KIPP Legacy Preparatory School in Houston, TX
Previous Roles: New Teacher of the Year in 2004-05 and Teacher of the Year 2007-2008 at De Zavala Elementary in Houston, TX; Third Grade Level Chair; Vertical Team Lead Teacher; Mentor Teacher in School Based Teacher Educator program with University of Houston; Teach For America Corps member (Houston, 2004)
Why I want to be a school leader with KIPP: "I will go where there is no path and leave a trail..." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
"The lessons I learned on my path drive my sense of urgency to empower students who share a similar background, ensuring that they will be better equipped to face these challenges than I was. I want to provide students with a high quality education from kindergarten on, and cultivate in them the academic and social skills necessary to become global leaders, creating a brighter path for themselves, their community and the world."
Robert Hawke
Plans to open KIPP Impact in Jacksonville, FL
Previous Roles: KIPP Excellence in Teaching Award winner; Assistant Principal and Fifth Grade Chair at KIPP Academy Fresno; Math Teacher
Why I want to be a school leader with KIPP: "My path to KIPP began when I taught KIPP alumni in Houston, and was instantly impressed with their character and determination. I see opening a KIPP school as the path to having the greatest possible impact on the world."
Brennecke Hormel
Plans to open KIPP Camino Academy in San Antonio, TX
Previous Roles: 7th Grade Chair and Language Arts Teacher at KIPP Aspire in San Antonio; Teach For America Corps member (Roma, TX, 2005)
Why I want to be a school leader with KIPP: "More students in San Antonio deserve the opportunity to receive a quality, college preparatory education. I believe that all students can and will succeed in a supportive environment where all students are held to high standards."
Steve Jones
Plans to open KIPP Vision Academy in Atlanta, GA
Previous Roles: Upper Level Dean and Leadership Team member at KIPP WAYS Academy in Atlanta; Teacher and Site Coordinator; KIPP Leadership Pathways participant
Why I want to be a school leader with KIPP: "After being disgruntled by the public school system, I was looking for a network in which I could have the power to empower. The Fisher Fellowship has connected me with a network of highly-motivated leaders, who inspire and support me in the creation of KIPP Vision Academy."
Mike Kerr
Plans to open KIPP Empower Academy in Los Angeles, CA
Previous Roles: Principal and Founder of Achievement First Crown Heights Elementary in New York; Elementary school teacher and grade-level leader; Teach For America Corps member (New York, 1999)
Why I want to be a school leader with KIPP: "I became a school leader to take to scale the dramatic student achievement results I had seen with my students in Harlem. Every student in every classroom in every school across the country can achieve at high levels. At KIPP, let's continue to prove this truism."
Stacie Kossoy
Plans to open KIPP DC: Grow Academy in Washington, DC
Previous Roles: 2007-08 KIPP DC Teacher of the Year Award winner; Founding Teacher at KIPP DC: LEAP Academy; Founding Kindergarten Grade Level Chair, Teach For America Corps member (Camden, NJ, 2005)
Why I want to be a school leader with KIPP: "The most powerful growth I've experienced during the Fisher Fellowship came from summer institute where 60 KIPP leaders from across the country came together for 5 weeks of leadership development. Through role plays and case studies, we learned hands-on strategies for leading and managing others. This directly impacts the reason I do this work - our students - who deserve the best education possible."
Jared Lamb
Plans to open KIPP New Orleans Leadership Academy in New Orleans, LA
Previous Roles: Principal of KIPP McDonogh 15 Middle School in New Orleans; Founding Fifth and Eighth grade teacher at KIPP McDonogh 15 Middle School; Founding sixth grade teacher at New Orleans West College Prep, a KIPP Transformation School; Teach For America Corps member (Greater New Orleans, 2003)
Why I want to be a school leader with KIPP: "After relocating to Houston in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, I began teaching at KIPP NOW College Prep. Since becoming part of KIPP in 2005, I'm incredibly grateful for all I've learned. The professional development I've got through KIPP is hands-down the best development I've had in my entire life."
Justin Scott
Plans to open KIPP Austin Comunidad in Austin, Texas
Previous Roles: Autism family therapist; Early Childhood Teacher; United States Peace Corps Volunteers (2000-2001), Education Volunteer, Uzbekistan; Founder and Interim Executive Director of Austin Community School; Miles Family Fellow at KIPP Austin College Prep; 5th Grade Reading Interventionist at KIPP Austin College Prep; KIPP Austin Public Schools ESL Program Coordinator
Why I want to be a school leader with KIPP: "I believe that it is never enough that some kids achieve, some teachers stay and some parents remain satisfied with the education of their children. I am opening KIPP Austin Comunidad because all children can harness their unending and brilliant potential, all teachers can come to work to become better people, and all families can participate in collective empowerment."
Ben Speicher
Plans to open KIPP Imagine Charter School in Philadelphia, PA
Previous Roles: Pre-kindergarten Teacher, Instructional Coach, and Miles Family Fellow at KIPP DC: LEAP Academy; Sixth grade teacher, Grade Level Chair, and Saturday School Coordinator at KIPP Philadelphia Charter School; Teach For America Corps member (San Jose, CA 2003)
Why I want to be a school leader with KIPP: "Through the Fisher Fellowship I have visited some of the best elementary schools in the country, learned from the most distinguished education professors, and trained with an amazingly strong, dedicated cohort of school leaders. Nothing could set me up better to found a great school."
Shannon Wheatley
Plans to open KIPP Sunnyside High School in Houston, TX
Previous Roles: Founding Teacher, AP United States History Teacher, Upper-Level Grade Level Chairperson, and winner of the highest faculty award at KIPP Houston High School; Teach For America Corps member (Brownsville, TX, 2004)
Why I want to be a school leader with KIPP: "The personalization for each Fellow is phenomenal. As a founding teacher at KIPP's first high school, I wanted to expand my knowledge of best practices by observing other top-performing high schools in America. Because of KIPP's commitment to development, I have visited over 30 schools by December."
Maisie Wright
Plans to open KIPP Blytheville College Preparatory School in Blytheville, AR.
Previous Roles: Math and Science Teacher at KIPP Delta College Preparatory School in Helena, AR; local Executive Director for Let's Get Ready at Cornell; Teach For America Corps member (Delta Region, 2006)
Why I want to be a school leader with KIPP: "I have moved into KIPP school leadership because I believe in the potential of the Arkansas Delta region, and I believe that the students of the Delta deserve quality people who are willing to make a commitment to their success and happiness."
