Khadeejah Smith is currently serving as Head of Lower and Middle School in the District of Columbia metropolitan area. Her work lends itself to closing the achievement gap that exist between African-American and Latino students in comparison to their White and Asian counterparts. Khadeejah is committed to being an EdGapCloser, by advocating for equitable resources and opportunities through community outreach and parent engagement.

Tiffany Jackson is a native Washingtonian and has been an educator for the last ten years Tiffany has worked to inspire scholars, young and old, to think beyond the words of literature. Her passion for learning has led her to study the role of critical thinking in her teaching methods and has further driven her to attack teaching as a craft.

With experience as a classroom teacher, instructional coach, administrator and curriculum writer Tiffany has spent her career helping scholars, and educators alike, to develop creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, achieve a deep understanding of complex subjects, and acquire a love of learning, along with a strong sense of community and character.

Shantel Sappleton is a passionate instructor, who has been in education for the past ten years. Shantel was recruited to KIPP Leadership team and is currently an Assistant Principal at LEAP Academy. She is proud of the work the she does to strengthen her craft of molding educators who influence children everyday.