Andrea Rainey has worked at KIPP Vision Academy for the past three years. School administrators describe her as a “rockstar ELA teacher” who makes a difference in the lives of students and staff members.
“I have been fortunate enough to serve as Mrs. Rainey’s Principal for the past three years,” said Donald Rucker, Principal of KIPP Vision Academy. “I have not only been empowered by her commitment to the classroom but moreover her commitment to community partnership, the coaching and development of her colleagues, and finding innovative and engaging ways for our scholars to enjoy reading.”
Mrs. Rainey is in her 24th year of education, a time in her life where she has stated she is “teaching the children and having fun.” And having fun is just an understatement if you are able to visit her classroom. Each year, the school’s middle school scholars get to vote for their favorite teacher. For the past two years, Mrs. Rainey has won this award by a landslide.
Mrs. Rainey also has the results to back it up. According to Rucker, Mrs. Rainey led the entire region in fifth grade reading growth last year as determined by STAR and the Georgia Milestones. However, Mrs. Rainey is not only a classroom teacher but a school-wide leader. Mrs. Rainey peer coaches several ELA teachers. This is not only an additional support for the school’s ELA teachers, but also a key lever in their academic growth. KIPP Vision’s ELA department also led the KIPP region in middle school reading growth due to Rainey’s leadership.
When Mrs. Rainey sees a gap, she fills it. When students needed more intentional support, she revamped KIPP Vision’s intervention program. When the school’s scholars need more at bats with reading skills, she created after school tutoring opportunities. Mrs. Rainey also uses her supports educators outside the four walls of KIPP Vision. When teachers around the region needed support with engagement and literacy instruction, Mrs. Rainey held sessions on Saturday morning for teachers across our KIPP region. Mrs. Rainey is truly the epitome of going above and beyond.
