"I have always enjoyed the enterprise of learning, because, as we know, students teach and teachers learn just as often as not. I started my career in the laboratories of some of the top scientific research organizations in the nation, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Merck Pharmaceuticals and Sandoz Pharmaceuticals. Five years ago, I decided to teach science full time. I bring a lot of what I know about the expectations and demands on scientists to my classroom and I expect the absolute best from my students because I am preparing them for competitive and challenging top notch high schools and colleges. When you believe that all students can learn and have the opportunity to prove it, a wonderful thing happens. You see a light come on, a face smiles, a quiet determination, a few tears – from students, parents and even teachers. There is nothing else that touches you so profoundly as knowing that you are the one who made that difference. KIPP does not have all the answers to what ails the educational system, but it has some very simple and elegant solutions like ‘work hard,’ ‘be nice,’ ‘no excuses,’ ‘family and friendship’ and, most importantly, ‘all of us will learn.’"

When I became part of the KIPP family and I saw a true educational revolution in process. Not only had I joined the most dedicated, inspiring, and ingenious group of teachers that I had ever met, but I was witnessing a school that lived its motto of, "No Excuses" and had created a pipeline for producing world-class scholars. Not only was I seeing students who were reading, analyzing and writing about high school level material (the first 7th grade class I observed was reading Wuthering Heights) but I was also witnessing a school that had made it part of its mission to develop culturally-confident African American students that were able to shirk off many of the societal stereotypes and walk with the confidence of scholar who knows their rightful place in this world.

I have never in the past, nor do I believe will ever work harder at my profession, however, I believe that nowhere else on this earth are the rewards so great. The professional community at KIPP WAYS is relentless in pushing you to a level of instruction that you didn't think that you could provide, but I’ve also never been part of an organization that has been so supportive of its teachers and helping them get to that level of excellence. This is my fifth year in the classroom, and I can say without a doubt that had I not joined the KIPP WAYS family that I would not be in education today."

"I joined the KIPP South Fulton family during the school year of 2005-2006 and it was one of the best professional moves that I have ever made. As a mother first, I have always wanted the best education for my own children, therefore as a teacher, I strive to give to the children of other parents, the best educationally guidance that I can. At KSFA, that is so easy to do. Why? Because all of have to do is TEACH! In KIPP classrooms, the focus is the students and how we can best help them to grow educationally and reach that goal of graduating from college! IT IS AN AWESOME TASK!

When I moved to Georgia from Mississippi, I was given several opportunities to work in a traditional public school; but once I saw the energy that resonated from the students and the employees at KSFA, that truly made the difference for me. The desire and will of the students keep me motivated and encouraged to give back to each one of them my total attention and to help them get ready to become participating citizens of this city, state, country, and the world."

"I am a founding staff member of KIPP WAYS Academy. The year 2003 was the beginning of a lot of changes. I was a makeup artist for a large company and also worked on independent films. The traveling and being on a set all day was demanding on me and my daughter. I applied for a job with KIPP WAYS Academy because the school schedule would allow me to see my daughter more often, who is a student at KIPP WAYS. My mom made her transition on my first day at KIPP WAYS and Mr. Jernigan (KIPP WAYS Founding Principal) and the rest of the new staff quickly showed me their support. I have always felt supported at KIPP. I stay at KIPP because of the students and because there's a culture here that inspires everyone to be better today than they were yesterday; not just at school but in life. I can't think of a better place to be."