By: Debra Wexler
Ten outstanding KIPP educators have been named winners of the 2025 Harriett Ball Excellence in Teaching Award, each receiving $10,000 in recognition of their impact in the classroom. Selected from nearly 8,000 teachers across the national network of KIPP Public Schools, these honorees embody the highest standards of instruction- al excellence and community-centered leadership. This year’s winners were announced as part of celebrations marking Teacher Appreciation Week.
“At KIPP, we know that great teaching is critical to our students’ success,” said KIPP Foundation CEO Shavar Jeffries. “This year’s Harriett Ball winners show us what that looks like every day. They create classrooms that are joyful, rigorous, and rooted in an unshakeable commitment to nurturing the brilliance of every child — and the results can be seen in the remark- able academic growth of their students.”
The Harriett Ball Excellence in Teaching Award is given annually to 10 outstanding K-12 teachers from KIPP schools around the country. Teachers are chosen based on their track record of improving student achievement, their school and classroom leadership, and their commitment to preparing all students with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to pursue any path they choose — college, career, and beyond.
This year’s winners in- clude:
Katia Booker (KIPP NYC), a math teacher at KIPP AMP Middle School in Brooklyn, launched a transformative eighth-grade Algebra program and consistently supports 80% of her students to pass the Regents exam—well above pass rates in New
York City. As grade-level chair and dean, she balances high expectations with deep support for colleagues and an unwavering commitment to student success. TreAnna Buchanan (KIPP Nashville), a fourth-grade humanities teacher at KIPP Antioch College Prep Elementary, is known for her innovative, high-impact instruction that led to 74% of students reading on grade level. She men- tors colleagues as grade- level chair, content lead and master teacher, and is also known for foster- ing strong relationships with families and the local community.
Shaunnel David (KIPP NYC), a second-grade lead teacher at KIPP Washington Heights Elementary, accelerates academic growth with rigorous instruction, strong support, and a focus on cultivating student agency. During the 2023-24 school year, nearly all her students met target growth levels in reading and math, with most also exceeding stretch benchmarks. Ricardo Henry (KIPP DC), a middle school math teacher and case manager at KIPP DC’s The Learning Center, supports students with behavioral and socio-emotional challenges through innovative, personalized instruction, including integration of AI tools and creative projects.
Under Ricardo’s instruction, 89% of students met growth goals in 2023-24, up from just 35% two years earlier. Nnenna Kpando (KIPP Texas), a biology teacher at KIPP Academy West in Houston, delivers region-leading academic outcomes through a teaching style that combines rigorous lab-based learning with personalized support. During the 2023-24 school year, 92% of her students met academic standards, with 99% percent approaching proficiency both well above statewide averages.
Chasitee Letts (KIPP Texas), a reading teacher at KIPP CONNECT Primary in Houston, led KIPP Texas in performance on fifth-grade STAAR assessments, with her students outperforming peers statewide. As Reading Department Chair, Chasitee also coaches colleagues to deliver rigorous, joyful instruction that elevates achievement across her entire school.
Mattie Lucas (KIPP St. Louis), a second-grade teacher at KIPP Wisdom Academy, accelerates student learning through a joyful, structured classroom. In 2023-24, 64% of her students achieved at-or-above grade level benchmarks on DIBELS literacy assessments, outperforming national outcomes for growth and performance. Deadra Nelson-Mason (KIPP NYC), a social studies teacher at KIPP NYC College Prep high school in the Bronx, is known for creating classrooms where students analyze history deeply and critically. In 2024, 100% of her AP African American Studies
