Miles Fellows

Nick Bucy
Miles Family Fellow at KIPP Sunshine Peak Academy in Denver, CO

Current Roles: Physical Science Teacher, Eighth Grade Chair, and Mentor Teacher

Previous Roles: Saturday School Coordinator and Science Department Chair at KIPP Sunshine Peak; Miami Teaching Fellows Selector at New Teacher Project; Teach For America Corps Member (Miami-Dade, 2004), Corps Member Advisor (Atlanta, 2006), and School Director (Los Angeles, 2009)

Why I want to be a school leader with KIPP: "In my previous teaching experience I saw students make academic progress in isolation, but through KIPP I've seen authentic changes in students' life trajectories as our team of educators works to prepare the whole student (academics, character, mindset) for success in high school and beyond."

Emily Carroll
Miles Family Fellow at KIPP AMP Academy in Brooklyn, NY

Current Roles: Fifth Grade Self-Contained Classroom Teacher, Saturday School Co-Director, and developing character development curriculum for the school.

Previous Roles: Assistant to the Executive Director at Educators for Social Responsibility in Cambridge, MA; Founding teacher at Leadership Prep Charter School in Brooklyn, NY; Corps Member Advisor, Teach for America Institute (2006); Teach For America Corps Member (New York City, 2004)

Why I want to be a school leader with KIPP: "Following graduate school, I knew I wanted to go back into schools to affect change, but also wanted to be in a place where my knowledge could be put to use. KIPP is a network of schools that truly values the thoughts and ideas of teachers and administrators. I know that at KIPP my voice will be heard, and the knowledge I have can be put to use to get students on the mountain to college and beyond."

Emily Cook
Miles Family Fellow at KIPP Delta Elementary Literacy Academy in Helena, AR

Current Roles: Founding Teacher and Phonics Coordinator

Previous Roles: Fifth Grade Team Leader and Fifth Grade Reading Teacher at KIPP Delta College Prep; Teach For America Corps member (Delta, 2004)

Why I want to be a school leader with KIPP: "KSLP has connected me with a cadre of role models and resources. Other fellows and colleagues in the KIPP team & family provide expertise, advice, and encouragement as I grow into a stronger leader."

Danielle D'Ascenzo
Miles Family Fellow at KIPP Academy of Opportunity in Los Angeles, CA

Current Roles: Sixth Grade ELA teacher, Saturday School Co-Director

Previous Roles: Lead Teacher, Language Arts Teacher, Curriculum Coordinator, School Leadership Team member, and Community Resource Director at Wyatt-Edison Charter School in Denver; Student Enrollment Manager for Edison Schools.

Why I want to be a school leader with KIPP: "KIPP is everything I believe in and want for my students. KIPP's investment upfront in the professional growth of school leaders was a major factor in my decision to accept the fellowship. KSLP is supporting me on so many levels to grow into the leader the children and families of my community deserve. I'll return home equipped to spread excellence."

Aaronthomas Green
Miles Family Fellow at KIPP Academy of Opportunity in Los Angeles, CA

Current Roles: Upper School Dean, Technology Team Lead

Previous Roles: 2008 KIPP Excellence in Teaching Award winner; Eighth Grade Level Chair, Science Department Chair, Technology Chair, Community Liaison and Mentor Teacher at KIPP Academy of Opportunity; Teach For America Corps member (Los Angeles, 2005)

Why I want to be a school leader with KIPP: "Teamwork, constant learning, results, determination, hard work, respect...these principles guide KIPP Academy of Opportunity. The KSLP team also embodies these principles and pushes me to become the very best leader that I can be. KIPP not only works for students, but for teachers and leaders as well; I see immense growth because of the unique support that KIPP provides."

Tai Ingram
Miles Family Fellow at KIPP Liberation College Prep Middle School in Houston, TX.

Current Roles: Eighth grade English Language Arts Teacher, Director of Instructional Support for KIPP Liberation College Prep, Director of Math and Science Tutorial Program, Director of Co-Curricular Ballroom Dance Program.

Previous Roles: Language Arts Teacher; Director of Communications at Educational Achievement Services; Teach For America Corps member (Houston, 2007)

Why I want to be a school leader with KIPP: I came to KIPP to become a part of a progressive movement of educational professionals that seek to change the educational landscape through innovative reform. The KSLP team has provided me outstanding professional development in the areas of team building, conflict resolution, backwards planning, and effective teaching strategies, just to name a few. I have been granted amazing opportunities to shadow and learn from world-class school leaders, while working within an organization that emphasizes the academic and personal development of the whole child.

Aundrea Johnson
Miles Family Fellow at KIPP ZENITH Academy in Houston, TX

Current Roles: Lead Kindergarten Teacher, Instructional Coach

Previous Roles: Instructional Coach, Kindergarten Teacher, Curriculum Coordinator, and Values Coordinator at KIPP SHINE; Teach For America Corps member (Houston, 2003)

Why I want to be a school leader with KIPP: "Five years ago I joined the KIPP network. Working at KIPP has pushed and challenged me to grow as an educator and as an individual. I enjoy the work we do, the communities we serve, and the lives we touch every day."

Stacy Johnson
Miles Family Fellow at KIPP STAR College Prep in New York, NY

Current Roles: Dean of Instruction, Sixth Grade Level Chair, Academic Coach, Sixth Grade Reading Teacher

Previous Roles: Sixth Grade Level Chair at KIPP STAR College Prep, Academic Facilitator for KIPP NYC; Language Arts Teacher in North Carolina and Vermont

Why I want to be a school leader with KIPP: "The leadership development I have received at KIPP has changed the way that I view education. Being a "good" teacher and leader is not enough. We have an important responsibility to our students to provide them with the best, and KSLP is helping me to develop into a leader who can fulfill and exceed that responsibility."

Meredith Mehra
Miles Family Fellow at KIPP Philadelphia Charter School in Philadelphia, PA

Current Roles: Eighth Grade Math Teacher, Eighth Grade Level Chair, Saturday School Co-Coordinator

Previous Roles: Teacher, Senior Class Coordinator, Urban Education Institute Coordinator, and School Leadership Team member at Fitzsimons high school; Teach For America Corps member (Philadelphia, 2005); Teaching Assistant and Instructor at University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education

Why I want to be a school leader with KIPP: "KSLP has provided me with opportunities to reflect upon and grow from my instructional and leadership experiences. Through focused discussions with other fellows and members of the KSLP team, I am becoming a more confident and effective leader."

Anokhi Saraiya
Miles Family Fellow at STAR College Prep Charter School in New York, NY

Current Roles: Sixth Grade Reading Teacher, Instructional Coach, Saturday School Coordinator

Previous Roles: Data Specialist, New Teacher Mentor, Comprehensive School Reform Coordinator, and School Leadership Team member at Luis Belliard School; MetLife Fellow with Teachers Network Leadership Institute; Teach For America Corps member (New York, 2002)

Why I want to be a school leader with KIPP: "When I watch a child's face light up as she understand what she is reading for the first time, or when that look of ‘OH! I get it!' spreads across a child's face...those are the moments that draw me to school leadership and KIPP. I want to build a school where all children have those moments every day."

D'Anza Smith
Miles Family Fellow at KIPP LA Prep in Los Angeles, CA

Previous Roles: Grade Teacher, Grade Leader, and Leadership Team member at KIPP LA Prep; Seventh Grade English Teacher, co-author of district ELA curriculum, Afterschool Tutorial Program and Accelerated Reader Program Coordinator

Why I want to be a school leader with KIPP: "KSLP has provided me with invaluable tools and resources to grow as a leader within and beyond the boundaries of my school site. I have the unique opportunity to reflect on my role as a change agent and advocate for the children of Los Angeles."