KUVA Faculty and Staff
KIPP Ujima Village Academy is home to a diverse group of teachers from all over the country. This array of cultures combined with public and non-public teaching experiences create our amazing TEAM and FAMILY.
- When giving tours at KIPP, my favorite stop is the Golden Ticket Wall. I love to share with visitors how our students work really hard to earn themselves entry to some of the best college-prep high schools in Maryland and the Country for that matter! — Hilarie Szczygiel, Director of Recruitment Communications
- Working at KIPP has been liberating for me as an educator. I am given the freedom to really teach the curriculum but also life lessons and good habits, the way that I know is best for my students. I can see the impact I am making on each and every child I come in contact with, even once they leave KIPP. — Megan Hall, High School Placement Coordinator
- I love working at KIPP because I feel like I belong here! The students and staff are constantly working together to achieve success. We leave no room for excuses and take an active role in our future. — Nancy Poole, Alumni Solutions Coordinator
- I know that when I first started my career, I was told by some veteran teachers that there are two or three special students in every class and you show up mainly to teach them. For the rest you just do what you can. But here, it isn't about a couple of good kids here, all kids can and do learn, excel, and find success. — Eric Fitzgerald, 7th Grade English
- I work here because I hope my life will have some small impact on the lives of others. I love our kids because they choose to be here, they choose to work longer and harder, and they choose to climb the mountain to college. If I can help them achieve their goals, then my time and effort are well spent. I love watching our kids grow into young adults who will have a positive impact on their families, their communities, and their world. — Mike Lucas, Ujima Founding Teacher
- I absolutely love working at KIPP. I feel such a strong commitment from every adult involved in the education process - parents, staff, teachers, administration - to do anything necessary to help our students get to college. The result is a group of students who know they are cared about and are working hard to build character and academic skills necessary to be successful. — Jessica Cline, Spanish Teacher
- I love working at KIPP because I get to work with students who have a passion for learning and teachers who have a passion for teaching. I love how everyone - students, teachers, administrators, and staff - is willing to do what it takes to meet our high expectations. — Jason Farber, 6th Grade English Teacher
- I am excited to go to work every day because I know I will be surrounded by a team that is passionate about the work that we do and is driven to provide the best education for our students. Teaching Spanish at the elementary level is incredibly fulfilling because our kindergarten and first grade Kippsters are already able to have conversations en español! This will open so many doors for them as they climb the mountain to college and beyond. — Danielle Hewitt, Spanish Teacher
