Meet the KIPP NYC Team and Family
Hear from some of our teachers
Joanne Lee
6th Grade Math Teacher, KIPP STAR
With KIPP NYC since 2006
Why did you join KIPP?
At my old school, I always wanted to do more for my students. I wanted to work with them more after school, I wanted a way to hold them accountable for their actions without being forced out of the building, and I wanted them to start thinking about college instead of just high school. I envisioned a school where all the teachers were using systems that worked and all the teachers had the same high expectations for student learning and behavior. I also visited a KIPP school in my second year and loved the culture of constant learning and fun.
How is teaching at a KIPP school different from teaching at your previous school?
Learning is happening in every classroom. There are no classroom interruptions from loudspeakers, and no early dismissals for a long weekend. The students always come first. Teachers make sure that students are learning without making any excuses, and they make it fun. Students are held accountable for homework and class work. We are building relationships with our students and their families, and that’s what ultimately makes the students successful.
Why should teachers consider teaching at a KIPP school?
Just visit a KIPP school. It makes you want to be a better teacher for your students. You’re surrounded by teachers you can learn from. We don’t just teach reading, math, writing, science, or social studies. We teach character strengths that our students will need not only to succeed in life, but also to go above that and change the world. Everyone at the school is invested in this mission, down to the office manager and security guard, and you realize that everyone in the building believes in the kids as much as you do. Families are not just people you meet at parent teacher conferences. They come to our field trips and pizza parties, and they come to our classrooms and observe our classes. It’s truly a team effort.
