About KIPP Chicago

Camille Allen is the School Leader at KIPP Academy Chicago in the Austin neighborhood. From 2018-2022, Camille served as Assistant Principal at KAC. Camille relocated back to her hometown Chicago in 2018 from Minneapolis, Minnesota, where she was the Assistant Principal at KIPP North Star Academy. Prior to becoming an Assistant Principal, Camille taught 6th grade Reading and Math in Minneapolis. Her career in education began in 2011 in Huntsville, AL, where she worked as a fourth-grade teacher.

Camille is an alum of Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University where she earned her Bachelors and Masters in Elementary Education. Outside of work, Camille loves to spend time with her husband, family, and friends and visiting new restaurants. “I believe that adults are responsible to find creative ways to invest in the minds of children, build character, and aid them to reach their educational potential. It is our responsibility to help children become excited about the power of knowledge”

Rashid Bell joined KIPP Chicago in 2011 as founding Assistant Principal at KIPP Ascend Primary, after serving as a Teach for America corps member and teaching fourth and fifth grades in Newark, NJ. In the 14-15 school year, he led the fifth-grade students at KIPP Ascend Primary to achieve the 90th percentile of attainment in math on the NWEA MAP test. He was awarded the Fisher Family Fellowship in 2015 and founded KIPP One Primary in 2016. Rashid has helped lead KIPP One to three consecutive Level 1+ ratings, and two consecutive years as the highest-ranked public school in the city of Chicago.

Tessa Catlett is a Senior School Leader at KIPP Chicago. Tessa began her teaching career in 2011 as a Teach For America corps member in St. Louis. She joined the KIPP Chicago team & family in 2013 as a 3rd-grade teacher and then as an Assistant Principal at KIPP Ascend Primary. In 2017, Tessa was awarded the Fisher Fellowship through the national KIPP Foundation and, in her fellowship, began planning to open the doors for a new school, KIPP Bloom Primary, KIPP Chicago’s first South Side elementary school. Tessa has served as the Founding Principal of KIPP Bloom Primary for the last six years as the school grew to serve grades K-5. She also served as the Primary Literacy Achievement Director for KIPP Chicago, supporting all four primary schools in adopting a more aligned and research-based approach to early literacy instruction. Tessa has her Bachelor’s degree with a major in Communication Studies and a minor in Peace and Social Justice from the University of Michigan and a Masters degree in Education Leadership from Columbia University.

Rebecca Cowell is Principal of KIPP One Academy. Rebecca joined KIPP Chicago in 2005 as a science teacher at KIPP Ascend, and in subsequent years designed the school’s science curriculum, taught at each grade level 5-8, and served as a Grade Level Chair and Department Chair. She was the founding 9th grade biology Teacher at KIPP LEAD College Prep HS in Gary, IN before returning to KIPP Ascend as a Teacher, Department Chair, and regional Curriculum Developer. Rebecca then served as an Assistant Principal for four years and took on the role of Principal from 2019-2024.

Marquita Curry is School Leader of KIPP Ascend Primary. Marquita joined KIPP Chicago in 2018 as an Instructional Coach with KIPP Academy Chicago, contributing to the school’s Level 1+ rating. The next year, she helped found KIPP Academy Chicago Primary as School Leader Resident. She previously was a Teach for America corps member in New Orleans, LA; a Dean and Instructional Coach with ReNEW Schools; and an Assistant Principal with the Learn Charter School Network in Chicago.

Michallé Fain is the Acting School Leader of KIPP One Primary and a proud alumna of the KIPP Chicago Class of 2008. After earning her degree from Marquette University,  Michallé rejoined the KIPP Chicago family as a member of the founding team at KIPP One Primary in 2016. Throughout her tenure at KOP, she has taught grades K-4, served as an Assistant Principal for various grade levels, and recently completed KIPP Chicago’s Principals in Residence program.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Michallé is an avid Netflix binge-watcher and an enthusiastic explorer of new vegetarian restaurants. She is passionate about fostering growth, serving her community, and inspiring the students, staff, and families at KIPP One Primary.

Becky Fussner joined KIPP Chicago in 2016 as a Founding Kindergarten Teacher at KIPP One Primary. Previously, she served as a Teach for America corps member in Indianapolis and also taught at Galapagos Charter School in Chicago. Becky became a Grade Level Chair at KIPP One and then was the school’s Assistant Principal for three years before moving into the role of Principal.

Claire Grossheim is School Leader of KIPP Bloom Primary. Claire joined KIPP Chicago in 2018 as a founding kindergarten teacher at KIPP Bloom Primary. Previously, she served as a TNTP Early Childhood Teaching Fellow at Ingenuity Prep in Washington, D.C. Claire also taught oversees in Seoul, South Korea and in Oakland, California. Claire became an SEL Chair at KIPP Bloom Primary in 2019 and then was the school’s Assistant Principal for three years before moving into the role of Principal in Residence in 2023.

April Montgomery Goble is the Executive Director of KIPP Chicago Schools. April has 25 years of experience in education, including 21 years at KIPP. She began her career as a Teach for America corps member in Washington D.C., for which she received the Cartier Award for Excellence in teaching and community involvement. She has served as both a math teacher and principal in KIPP. April is completing her 15th year as Executive Director. The region has received numerous accolades, including being recognized as the district’s highest performing school network for three consecutive years.

As a first generation college graduate, April appreciates education’s transformative power. She has a passion for the arts, and is particularly proud of KIPP Chicago’s Children’s Museum of Art and Social Justice, through which the network raises funds for further arts integration at its schools. April received her bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and History from Indiana University and her master’s degree in Teaching, Early Childhood Education from Trinity College. As an undergraduate, April was also a proud recipient of the McNair Scholarship.

Peter Gooden is KIPP Chicago’s Vice President for Equity & Inclusion. He joined KIPP Chicago in 2010 as the Director of Alumni Services, and later spent 4 years as the Director of KIPP Forward. In that role he managed the KIPP Forward team to support high school access & persistence, college placement & persistence, and career advancement for 1,500 KIPP Chicago alumni. Previously, Peter spent years working with KIPP NYC as the KIPP Forward Alumni counselor and with the University of Chicago Charter School as the 6to16 Advisor, where he helped to develop lessons for the 6to16 curriculum and created a higher education culture at Carter G. Wilson Middle School. As a first generation US citizen, high school graduate, and college graduate, Peter has worked tirelessly to support equity and accessibility in higher education.

Heather Hawkins is School Leader of KIPP Ascend Middle School. Heather began her teaching for KIPP Chicago Public Schools nearly a decade ago as a founding teacher at KIPP One Academy. She joined the KIPP Ascend Middle School team as an Assistant Principal. Since joining the KIPP Ascend team, she has consistently created an environment that has fostered both love and high accountability for students and staff. Her dedication and tireless efforts have not gone unnoticed, as she was a member of the KIPP Chicago inaugural class of Principal-in-Residence.

Jennifer Hodges serves as Vice President of Whole Child Fund and Community Impact with KIPP Chicago. She leads the convening of educators, families, policymakers, and community members in partnership to strategically influence the long-term success of students. Her work centers the needs of KIPP students, families, and teachers, ensuring holistic development of all stakeholders and to improve student outcomes and increase the economic, political, and social capacity of households.

Prior to joining KIPP Jennifer was Director of Corporate Development at United Way of Metro Chicago. She had direct management of a corporate fundraising team with oversight of $16 million of the annual $40 million revenue goal; co-led a $32 million national account management strategy across 14 U.S. markets, and co-founded and co-chaired United Way’s internal Diversity, Equity and Inclusion strategies. Jennifer began her professional career with six years in the financial industry, where she worked in wealth management at Greenleaf Trust and upon relocating to Chicago, Jennifer joined Gray & Company, an investment consulting firm.

Jarell Lee is the Founding School Leader of KIPP Academy Chicago Primary, a school built on the values of love, joy, and community. Previously, Jarell worked for KIPP NJ where he served as the Principal of KIPP Life Academy and as an assistant school leader at KIPP Seek Academy.

Prior to joining the KIPP team, Jarell taught second grade at Uncommon Schools’ Excellence Boys Elementary Academy as a Teach For America Corps Member. He also led the third grade team, developed a character education system, and led school-wide joy initiatives to invest students in school culture systems. Jarell also served as the founding dean of school culture at Achievement First’s Aspire Elementary School, where he created systems and rituals to invest students and to support struggling students. Additionally, Jarell coached teachers as the the academic dean for first grade.

Jarell received a B.A. in Sociology & African-American Studies from Harvard University, a M.S. in Elementary Education from Teacher University at Hunter College, and a Master’s in Supervision and Administration from the University of Houston. Outside of school, Jarell loves to play with his son and puppy, go to the gym, watch NBA games, and wear fanny packs.

Monika is the Principal at KIPP Bloom College Prep. Monika began her teaching career as a 6th-8th grade science teacher at Dodge Renaissance Academy on Chicago’s West Side. She joined KIPP Chicago in 2016 as a 7th-grade science teacher and content team leader at KIPP Academy. Monika has also served as a Master Teacher and Consultant for the KIPP Foundation and led regional and foundation-level professional development for teachers and leaders. She was also the recipient of the Harriett Ball Excellence in Teaching Award in 2019. In 2021, Monika transitioned from teaching to serving as KIPP Chicago’s Science Achievement Director and then as an Interim School Leader in 2023.

Amy Pouba is KIPP Chicago’s Superintendent. Amy has worked at KIPP Chicago for 20 years, beginning in 2004 when she joined KIPP Ascend Middle School as a Teacher. She eventually served as Assistant Principal and then Principal. As Superintendent and Chief Academic Officer she has led successful efforts to standardize behavior management systems, increase cross-school collaboration, implement a regional assessment strategy, and coordinate leadership development. She has led KIPP Chicago to be Chicago’s highest performing charter network for three consecutive years while growing the region from 2 to 8 schools. Prior to her time with KIPP Chicago she held teaching positions in Madison, WI (where she was awarded the Golden Apple award), Washington, DC, and Baltimore, MD. As Superintendent, Amy leads and manages the school leader team and the regional academic, talent, and data teams.

Milton Rodriguez has over twenty years of nonprofit leadership and resource development experience focused primarily on funding youth development and educational programs. A native of Chicago and graduate of Whitney M. Young Magnet High School, he brings firsthand experience and knowledge of the challenges faced by many of Chicago’s youth and families, and strives to increase available economic and educational opportunities. Prior to joining KIPP Chicago, Milton was VP of Development at Chicago Scholars, where he successfully implemented a multi-year funding strategy that increased programmatic growth and doubled raised revenue.

Milton currently serves on the Board of Directors for the University of Michigan Latino Alumni Club, The Association of Fundraising Professionals – Chicago Chapter, and Enlace Chicago. He is also a Fellow of the City of Chicago Latino Caucus Foundation. Milton holds a BA and MSW from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and an MBA from Roosevelt University and is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE).

Ellen Sale joined KIPP Chicago in 2013 after serving in the Mississippi delta as a Teach for America corps member, holding programmatic and coaching roles with Teach for America nationally, and teaching five years at Noble Street Rauner College Prep, where she founded the AP World History program and led the network in annual sophomore reading growth. In 2010 she was honored as TFA Chicago Alumni Distinguished Teacher and chosen as a Teach Plus Teaching Policy Fellow. She was awarded the Fisher Family Fellowship in 2012, founded KIPP Bloom College Prep in 2013, and served as Principal for 7 years — leading KIPP Bloom to a Level 1+ rating in consecutive years. Prior to becoming KIPP Chicago’s Head of People, Ellen was Head of Talent.

Michael Salmonowicz is KIPP Chicago’s Vice President of Finance & Operations, and is in his 15th year with KIPP. A Teach For America alumnus, he spent three years as a high school teacher in Chicago; was a researcher with the University of Virginia and the University of Chicago’s Consortium on School Research; and served as a consultant to New Leaders, DonorsChoose.org, and school districts across the country. He was a Director of Finance & Operations, Data Analyst, Managing Director of Operations, and COO at KIPP Chicago prior to taking on his current role.

Catrina Thomas joined KIPP Chicago in 2012 and is Managing Director of KIPP Forward. In this role, she leads the 14-person KIPP Forward team that supports more than 2,700 KIPP Chicago students and alumni in 8th grade, high school, and college. Previously, she led KIPP Chicago’s High School Transition Team, was a High School Transition Advisor with KIPP Ascend, and was a Guidance Counselor and Special Education Case Manager with other schools in and around Chicago.

Cory Washington joined KIPP Chicago in 2021 as Principal of KIPP One Primary Upper School. Previously, he spent 3 years as a Principal and 3 years as an Assistant Principal with KIPP Delta (Helena, Arkansas). Before joining KIPP, Cory spent three years as a Teacher and Reading Specialist in Mississippi.