ST. LOUIS — Two local educators are back in town after receiving national recognition. The KIPP St. Louis teachers were both awarded $10,000 each for excelling in the classroom. They had no idea they were being rewarded.
Friday, families gathered for a welcome back moment at KIPP Wisdom Academy ahead of the start of school next week. One of the fresh faces greeting them is Kindergarten teacher Sonya Taylor.
"I love what I do,” she said with a smile.
The teacher prides herself on helping students win.
"30% were on grade level when I got them and at the end of the year on their DIBELS reading test, I had 90% of my students on or above benchmark,” she explained.
Others are seeing the progress too. At a national KIPP Conference in Florida last week, Taylor's husband surprised her by being there when she was recognized as one of the group's national top teachers.
The recognition came with a $10,000 award. She immediately thought of her son.
"I said, ‘Oh my gosh. We can pay for Elijah’s braces!" she said enthusiastically.
"The same amount of money I received is the same amount of money needed to pay my mortgage. Look at God,” Teacher Erica Williams added.
Williams is a reading teacher at KIPP. She’s the other local awardee. She created programs like the Lit Kids Club and the Real Men Read event to connect students with men who come to the school to read to them.
"Our teachers definitely need to see men, men that look primarily as them as well…It kind of took off. We had administrators. We had community leaders coming in to assist us so it was pretty much all hands on deck,” she said.
They're shining examples of going above and beyond to help our future thrive.
"I told my husband when I won the award, I don't think I've ever in my life felt this celebrated and wow it feels amazing,” Taylor said.
When encouraged to keep up the great work, Williams responded, “Absolutely, my pleasure. This is my heart. This is my passion. I have no other choice."
The surprise awards were given during a training conference in front of thousands. KIPP St. Louis students return to the classroom Tuesday.