CSET Professional Learning

KIPP Atlanta Collegiate

Introduction: As a member of the national Knowledge Is Power Program (KIPP) charter network, our school mission is to propel students “To and Through College.” This singular motto drives our focus at KIPP Atlanta Collegiate to prepare students for the academic and social rigors of life beyond high school. Founded in a traditionally-underserved pocket of Atlanta in 2011 with a unique advisory system and extended school day, KAC is set up to allow adults to form deep personal relationships with our students. We strive to help them develop the academic muscle as well as personal habits and mindsets – such as showing grit in the face of adversity – that will spring them to achieve their goals. So far, the model is working: as of April, over 80% of our founding class of 2015 is on track to be enrolled in a 4-year college or university in the fall. The members of our team represent three different departments and grade levels, but are excited to collaborate together to create an even better school environment. As a 9th-grade Literature and Composition teacher, Ms. Tawheedah Abdullah pushes students to not only analyze how the themes they explore while reading are reflected in modern day culture, but to develop their own powerful writing voices with cogent arguments. For example, how does the media’s representation of different cultural groups affect American society? In 9th-grade pre-AP World History/12th-grade AP Government, Ms. Kim Vo challenge students to deeply engage with historical documents, make connections to modern day issues, and then defend their thoughts in writing: was Hammurabi’s Code a fair way to govern? Over in the math department, Mr. Jerry Kosoff, who will loop up with his current 11th-graders to teach them 12th-grade Statistics or AP Calculus AB, encourages students to make connections with mathematics: is it really possible to lie with statistics? How do different professions utilize our math skills? This summer, we look forward to bringing our enthusiasm and critical lenses to model the growth mindset we seek to instill in our students. While we represent just three classrooms in our growing school, we are excited to bring our experiences back from California to enrich the lives of our fellow teachers, and more importantly our students.

Year: 
2015
Fellow Type: 
Hollyhock Fellow
Photo: 
State: 
Georgia