Meet the KIPP NYC Team and Family
Hear from some of our teachers
Michael Vea
Dance & Journalism Teacher, Founding Teacher, KIPP Infinity
With KIPP NYC since 2005
Why did you join KIPP?
At my public school, I had reached a point where I couldn’t do much more. I started feeling very complacent and was not getting better. It was frightening that I would be considered an expert, a go-to person in my fourth year when I wasn’t. I wasn’t feeling challenged. Being a founding teacher was an exciting challenge to start something from the ground up. I was excited by being surrounded by amazing, talented people.
What keeps you at KIPP?
It’s all about everybody, not just my class of kids. All our kids, no matter what grade. It’s our responsibility, our duty to make sure they get what they need to go to college. Every single person is so dedicated. It’s the best model I have seen for urban education. Hard work and good people equal success. It really feels like I’m doing something that matters.
How is teaching at a KIPP school different from teaching at your previous school?
I worked just as hard if not harder at my last school. I was working really hard but didn’t know if it would pay off in the end. I felt like it was just me. It was the same number of hours, but I wasn’t sure if the dream of going to college would become a reality. Many went off to horrible middle schools and fell apart.
Why should teachers consider teaching at a KIPP school?
I’d recommend KIPP to teachers who are truly excited about teaching; teachers who are not afraid of being different, innovative, creative, and thinking outside the box; teachers who want a challenge; if you really want to push yourself to become a better teacher. There is so much room for creativity, and the support among staff is completely unparalleled. We are constantly giving each other feedback and are pedagogical partners and critical colleagues. This truly is a family. It’s always “we.” We are constantly reflecting on teaching practices. We’re good but not great. How can we become great?
