Fisher Fellows

Experience: Instructional Coach and 7th Grade Teacher at KIPP DIAMOND Academy; Workshop Presenter, Corps Member Advisor - Atlanta Institute, and Learning Team Leader with Teach For America; 8th Grade Teacher at Westside Middle School; Teacher with Summerbridge Cambridge and Summerbridge Louisville.

"KIPP offers me the chance to collaborate with amazing teachers and leaders to provide students in Memphis with opportunities to discover, develop and live out their enormous potential."

 

Bethany Blevins

Plans to open an elementary school in Austin, TX

Experience: Director of Curriculum with KIPP Austin Public Schools; Academic Support Teacher and K-12 Department Head at the Shanghai American School; Director of Student Support at Edward W. Brooke Charter School; Special Education Content Team Leader with Teach For America.

"As a former special education teacher I encountered numerous students who had been failed by the educational system. My students were bright, creative, and had unlimited potential but had not had access to a high quality education. As a school leader for KIPP Austin I will be able to ensure that our students have the necessary skills to succeed in their educational career and beyond."

 

Nick Bucy

Plans to open a middle school in Denver, CO

Experience: Mentor Teacher, Miles Family Fellow, 8th Grade Chair, Science Department Chair and Physical Science Teacher at KIPP Sunshine Peak Academy; School Director - Los Angeles Institute, Corps Member Advisor - Atlanta Institute and Professional Learning Community Leader with Teach For America; 8th Grade Science Teacher at Brownsville Middle School.

Awards: Sue Lehmann Award for Excellence in Education Nominee; Rookie Teacher of the Year at Brownsville Middle School

"In my previous teaching experience I saw students make academic progress in isolation, but since joining KIPP I've seen true changes in life trajectories as our students amazing potential is realized. I want to build another excellent KIPP school for the students of Denver, where a team of educators continue to do whatever it takes to prepare the whole student (academics, character, mindsets) for success in high school and the competitive world beyond."

 

Experience: 7th Grade Math Teacher, Grade Level Chair and Math Department Chair at KIPP Academy Lynn; Corps Member Advisor - Houston Institute with Teach For America; High School Math Teacher at Willow Canyon High School.

Awards: KIPP Excellence in Teaching Award; Sue Lehmann Award for Excellence in Education Finalist 

"During my four years teaching at KIPP Academy Lynn, I have witnessed firsthand how KIPP schools can positively impact the communities they serve. My goal as a school leader is to ensure that KIPPsters in Lynn continue to have access to a quality education, passionate teachers, and a consistent network of support that will prepare them to succeed in high school, college, and beyond. "

 

Experience: Data and Assessment Coordinator, RTI Coordinator, College Success Coordinator, Title I Coordinator, and 2nd Grade Teacher at Bronx Lighthouse Charter School; School Director - Los Angeles Institute and Phoenix Institute, Corps Member Advisor - Houston Institute and Program Director with Teach For America; College Success Network Founder; Thoreau Children's Library Project Coordinator and Kindergarten Teacher at Thoreau Elementary School.

"I choose to lead a KIPP school because education is a civil right. With strong vision, high expectations, and an unwavering commitment to scholars, anything is possible! I pledge to empower all scholars to believe in their future as leaders & collaborate with community organizations to encourage change from within. I proudly commit to the collective impact of rebuilding the education system in New Orleans. Every Child, Every Day!"

 

Kathryn Hayes

Plans to open a middle school in Austin, TX

Experience: Assistant Principal, 7th Grade Level Chair, Social Studies Teacher, 8th Grade Seminar Teacher, 5th and 7th Grade Writing Teacher at KIPP Austin College Prep; Teacher at Hughes High School.

"I am excited to open and lead a KIPP school because we are redefining what is possible with underserved students-each day, we are getting closer to proving that all students can graduate from four-year colleges and universities. However, we know that we are not there yet. We never give up on finding new and better ways to serve our students and lead our schools, ensuring that one day our mission will be fully achieved."

 

David Howland

Plans to open a high school in Atlanta, GA

Experience: 6th Grade Reading Teacher, 7th Grade English Teacher, Grade Level Chair and English Department Chair at KIPP WAYS Academy; President of Board of Directors for Inman Park Cooperative Preschool; ISAT Writer, Secondary English Learning Team Leader and Induction/Orientation Coordinator with Teach For America; English Language Arts Teacher, SAT Preparation Coordinator and SAT School Team Leader at Washington High School.

"I desire to open and lead Atlanta's first KIPP High School because I want to help fulfill the promise we have made to hundreds of Atlanta KIPPsters to help them climb the mountain to college. I believe that all of our children are endowed with their individual passions and talents which that need to be nurtured in a positive environment as they mature into young adulthood and aspire to become the leaders of tomorrow."

 

Aundrea Johnson

Plans to open an elementary school in Houston, TX

Experience: Instructional Coach, Kindergarten Teacher, Miles Family Fellow, Curriculum Coordinator and Values Coordinator at KIPP SHINE Early Childhood and Elementary School; First Grade Teacher, Special Education Teacher and Dyslexia Specialist at Dora B. Lantrip Elementary School; Curriculum Specialist with Teach For America; Cofounder of Rising Michigan Leader Scholarship Program; Cofounder of Service First Scholarship.

"As a school leader with KIPP, I will have a chance to encourage and educate students who are growing up in situations similar to my own childhood. I have learned through my own experience that education starts with encouragement and opportunity. I will have a chance to provide this opportunity to the next generation of children who are capable of attaining a college education in spite of their circumstances."

 

Cherese Johnson

Plans to open an elementary school in Washington, DC

Experience: Vice Principal at KIPP DC: AIM Academy, Literacy Coach for DC Public Schools, 6th grade reading teacher at KIPP DC: WILL Academy, Founding 5th Grade Social Studies and Language Arts Teacher at KIPP DC: WILL Academy; 5th Grade General Education Teacher at Robert Brent Museum Magnet Elementary School; ESOL First & Second Grade Teacher at Raymond Elementary, DC Teaching Fellows Cooperating Teacher at Raymond Elementary.

"Simply put, education makes so many things better. It single-handedly transforms and improves lives. As a KIPP School Leader, I want to be part of the solution by building a school that is a source of hope and opportunity for children, their families and communities."

 

Denise Rodriguez

Plans to open a high school in Houston, TX

Experience: Dean of Students, English Department Chair, AP English Language & Composition Lead Teacher at KIPP Houston High School; Teach for America School Director (Delta Charter Institute); 9th and 10th Grade Pre-AP and Gifted & Talented Teacher, 11th Grade Academic Team Leader, English Department Chair, Class of 2006 Sponsor, Student Council Sponsor, UIL Coordinator at James Pace High School; Poetry Coach, Student Council Sponsor, After School Tutorial Teacher and Pre-AP Language Arts Teacher at Resaca Middle School.

Awards: Teacher of the Year at Resaca Middle School 1999-2000; Rotary Award for Teaching Excellence at the Secondary Level; Brownsville Independent School District 2008 Secondary Teacher of the Year Finalist; Fulbright-Hays Group Project Abroad Participant

"I firmly believe in education providing choice for a future, and as a KIPP school leader it is through my intent and execution that I can provide this choice for my students and generations to come."

 

Anokhi Saraiya

Plans to open an elementary school in New York, NY

Experience: Sixth Grade Reading Teacher, Miles Family Fellow, Instructional Coach and Saturday School Coordinator at KIPP STAR College Prep Charter School; 5th Grade Literacy Teacher, Data Specialist, New Teacher Mentor, Comprehensive School Reform Coordinator, at the Luis Belliard School; MetLife Fellow with Teachers Network Leadership Institute.

"I want to be a KIPP School Leader because of the look on students' faces when they have 'a-ha' moments--when they finally understand something challenging, or discover something new. I want to give students the opportunity to learn and grow in an environment where they can safely and freely discover, ask questions, and feed their curiosity every day as they develop into confident, caring individuals."

 

Colin Smith

Plans to open an elementary school in New Orleans, LA

Experience: Assistant Principal and Pre-K Teacher at KIPP McDonogh 15 Elementary School; Founding 1st Grade Teacher at KIPP New Orleans West College Prep; Founding Pre-K Teacher at KIPP DREAM Elementary Teacher; Lead Corps Member Advisor - Houston and Phoenix Institutes and Content Curator with Teach For America.

"In New Orleans and within the KIPP network, there is immense opportunity to impact students' lives as a school leader. The KIPP foundation provides me with first-class training and preparation in order to build and lead a team of adults to inspire, motivate, teach, and guide young children. I know that our work will empower students to choose their own life path and realize their potential. My school will add to the impact that the KIPP region here in New Orleans is making to prove what is possible in public education."