KSS 2014

LDW!?…which means I finally have time to update the blog! As I sit at the same exact airport restaurant (literally, in the same seat) that I sat at a year ago today, it suddenly dawns upon me how much can change in a year. Last year this time I was in my third week of teaching ever, still figuring out this Texas thing y’all. Here I am in my second year watching my former kindergartners move up to first grade. Entering into my second year, I definitely thought I had a few things under my belt. That was until the first day of school when I asked my scholars to stand up if they were sitting on a “green” dot and they all looked at me and smiled and not one of them moved. Then I remembered, oh right… I actually have to teach you the colors first!

KIPP Destiny is now in its second year and we have welcomed several new staff members and teachers (some of the most unbelievably talented and dedicated people I’ve had the pleasure to work with) to join us as we roll out K AND first grade this year! I am very thankful to be with the same co-teacher that I worked with last year. We have such an amazing partnership. The kind where you finish each other’s sentences and push each other to grow more than you ever thought possible.

Our KDE team attended KIPP School Summit this summer in Houston, Texas to celebrate KIPP’s 20^th Anniversary. I attended a few days early for the Literacy for Everyone workshop training, which I am excited to help launch at our school this year. KSS had several amazing sessions to inspire teachers and build their national network with “Kippsters” across the nation. I attended one in particular that has transformed my entire outlook on teaching and was quite possibly the best professional development session I’ve ever attended. A psychiatrist, who had research backed data stated that we should be looking at behavior issues in the same lens as learning disorders. Children living in poverty often have toxic stress which affects the actual development of the brain. He stated that they often lack skills that enable them to problem solve and self regulate. It is our job as educators to not only develop our students academically but socially, and by building our scholars’ skill sets, we can make the difference. Between attending this session and partnering with Momentous Institute this year, I am very excited to have a proactive approach with my scholars that suffer from toxic stress.

At KSS, there was an amazing Gala to celebrate 20 years of KIPP. While rumors spread that Beyoncé and Oprah would be present, they didn’t end up making an appearance. However, Mary J. Blidge and Rapper Common performed and Michelle Obama sent in a video to KIPP to thank all of the teachers! The most inspiring part of the event was seeing the KIPP promotion video with OUR very own KIPP Destiny scholars! I nearly broke out in tears seeing them up on the big screen in front of the KIPP national network. At the gala they also had the original KIPP class (from 20 years ago) come up to the stage. Many of them are now mothers, fathers, professionals and you bet… college graduates!

(Opening ceremony of KSS)

 

(The original "Kippsters" from 20 years ago)

(Michelle Obama)