Meet Our Founder

Hi, I'm Kenya  and I'm the founder of North Star Learning Collective in Charles County, Maryland. I'm a third-generation educator with over twenty years of experience as a classroom teacher in private, charter, and public schools. I have experience with students ranging from elementary level through high school, and beyond. I've also travelled extensively and lived overseas, which shapes my educational perspective. During my time in education, I've helped diverse students of all ages and abilities make significant measurable academic gains. 

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As a child growing up in Brooklyn, New York, my family endeavored to give us the best education possible, and they sought alternatives when the neighborhood options were not up to par. The middle school I attended partnered with the American Museum of Natural History and the Metropolitan Museum of Art to give students hands-on experiences in science and art. That experience led me to develop partnerships throughout my career in education with several organizations to enhance student learning. After graduating from Brooklyn Technical High School, a STEM magnet school, I had the opportunity to travel overseas. My experience abroad inspired me to study foreign languages, in addition to History,  when I entered Howard University the following semester. It also led me to organize similar experiences for students, and one of the great accomplishments of my career in education has been taking students overseas to Ghana. As the two-time recipient of the Fulbright-Hays fellowship to Brazil and Ecuador, the James Madison Fellowship in American History and Government, and numerous other professional development awards and certificates, I am committed to lifelong learning to bring the best education possible to the students I serve. 

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Becoming a mother was pivotal in accelerating my mission to create the kind of educational environment for students that I would want my own child to have. I was introduced to the microschool model which aligned with my vision for personalized education with an emphasis on the humanities and project-based service learning. 

 

I have an undergraduate degree in history and graduate degrees in teaching and education. I'm certified in Social Studies, English as a Second Language, and Spanish. I'm excited to bring my love of history and culture, individualized instruction, and service learning to North Star Learning Collective.