Christa Thomas

As the founding principal of KIPP Nashville’s newest elementary school, Christa is determined for each of her future KIPPsters to actualize the words of Benjamin E. Mays’ quote. It is her firm belief that a school should always be the heartbeat of a community, and that it is our job, as educators, to pour into the lives of our students in a way that prepares them to step into and lead in the purpose assigned for their lives.

Christa is currently the Principal at Rocketship Nashville Northeast Elementary School, where she is continuously blown away daily by the persistence and passion of her students, staff, and families.

Prior to joining Rocketship, she served as a 7th and 5th grade Humanities and Writing teacher at KIPP Ascend Middle School in Chicago, Illinois. Her former KIPPsters all still have a special place in her heart!

Christa also spent two years as a Manager, Teacher Leadership Development with Teach For America in Chicago where she fell in love with coaching and developing teachers. In the summers of 2011 and 2013, she was able to engage her love for effective instruction and teacher development as an Elementary Curriculum Specialist for the Teach For America Chicago Institute.

She began her teaching career in 2008 as a Teach For America Corps member in Jacksonville, Florida where her 4th grade students made a lasting impact on her life and shaped the person and educator she is today.

Christa received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Spelman College. Outside of school, Christa loves shopping at home décor stores and reading.