Feature Story: KIPP

Every mother wants her child to have the best education possible. In cities where this is difficult to achieve, there are those who dedicate their lives helping children achieve this. Jamaal Nash is one of these people.

Nash always knew it was his calling to become a teacher and to give something back to the neighborhood he grew up in. Growing up in inner city Tulsa, Oklahoma, Nash knew that his quality of his education differed of that of his family members who grew up in suburban areas, “Whenever I visited my family they would show me their school books and the projects they did during class and I always wondered why my school never did those things. I knew something was wrong.” Nash quickly realized the issue was because of where he lived his education was not equal. Upon entering high school Nash learned about KIPP, the Knowledge is Power Program, and he started to dedicate his life to help children obtain the quality education he never received.

KIPP is a free college-preparatory public school. According to the KIPP website, its mission is to have high quality public education for all children no matter where they live. No child is denied admission on the basis of previous behavioral problems or low test scores. KIPP gives the students the skills they need to be successful in top high schools, colleges and the competitive world beyond. It was these characteristics that attracted Nash to KIPP.

Today, Nash is a teacher for KIPP Academy in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He says that he chose to work there because he believes in what they stand for, which is that all children should be able to receive a quality education. Although he did not attend a KIPP school he felt it was right to give back to his community. “I also wanted to be a positive role model to the students, they may not have the role models they need, especially young African American males,” Nash said.

Conrad Baines, a close friend and fellow teacher at KIPP testifies about Nash’s commitment to the school. “I have never seen anyone so dedicated to their job,” Baines said. “He genuinely cares about his students and does everything possible to make sure they succeed.” Baines was not the only one to speak so highly of Nash.

Dalenesia Kendrick, a former student of Nash said. “Mr. Nash did everything possible to help us learn and do better. He reminded us every day that we could do anything we wanted as long as we worked hard and believed in ourselves. Those are the type of things I do not hear at home, and hearing it from Mr. Nash, who is from my neighborhood, lets me know that I can do all things.”

With people like Nash in our world we can see the positive changes in our communities. He is doing an excellent job at being the leader that some kids may be missing.