This past year has been tumultuous, especially for educators. Across the country, school leaders have had to juggle navigating a global pandemic and our nation’s racial reckoning. They’ve transitioned to virtual teaching and learning, created space to discuss police brutality and systemic racism in their schools, and addressed the physical, social, and emotional needs of their students and families. In light of all, they have persevered through. Our School Leaders Who Inspire Series is intended to celebrate and highlight the prominent and impactful educators we have the pleasure of working with.
Over the course of this series, we will share interviews with school leaders about their motivations to lead and teach, their biggest lessons, influences, and best advice. You will learn more about their contributions to the public school system and how they have worked to provide their students with a high quality and equitable education.
Our Conversation with David Spencer
How long have you been working in the charter school sector?
I have worked in the charter school sector on and off for 12 years.
What motivated you to do this work?
While in college, I had the opportunity to do youth ministry in Fort Worth, TX while also interning for the city’s courthouse. I was able to see a direct connection between the communities that have been historically under resourced, the education system where I visited my mentees, and the courthouse where I saw so many Black and Brown men being sentenced regularly. From that experience, I knew that I had to get involved, and education is the foundation through which I believe I am able to ignite change.
What book, experience, or resource has had the biggest impact on how you approach this work?
The book that has had the biggest impact on how I approach this work is the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass. This book has become a figurative lighthouse for my work. The life of Frederick Douglas consistently orients me to the impact and importance of education. Through his words, we are able to see how path altering literacy was for him, and how condemning illiteracy and criminalizing education negatively impacted so many People of Color.
How many Black teachers or professors have you had over the course of your own education? How has having Black teachers/professionals (or not having them) shaped your career/experience doing this work?
Through primary and secondary school, I had two Black teachers, and both of them played such tremendous roles in my self-perception and unlocking the power of my voice and influence. One of my high school teachers, Ms. Coleman, was a recent college graduate and she spent time encouraging my writing and initiative in a way no teacher had previously. Ms. Gatling was my debate coach in high school, and she taught me the power of oratory skills and how my presence can be used to inspire and motivate others.
Does your school have any strategies to help support students’ racial identity development?
Currently, we are working to infuse the history of Black and Brown peoples into our required course catalog for students. We believe a crucial part of racial development is knowing, understanding, and embracing your history.
What are the biggest lessons you have learned from your school community?
My school community has taught me the power of collaboration. So often, we can feel the need to innovate, create, and enter into something on our own. However, our school community pushes the need to learn and grow together --- iron sharpening iron. Our emphasis on teamwork, listening to the voices of our stakeholders, and working alongside others has made our work better and stronger.
What is the best piece of advice you have gotten in your career so far and why?
Don’t underestimate your strengths. One of my leadership coaches shared this with me almost three years ago, and it continues to resonate with me today. In any leadership seat, it is easy to see your strengths as good, but not great. It is also easy to compare your strengths to the strengths of others and find yours coming up short consistently. Embracing, leaning on, and continuing to enhance your strengths is often a power we underestimate.
About David Spencer
David Spencer joined KIPP Indy Legacy High School in 2019 as a founding school leader. Over the last few years, Mr. Spencer has set the vision and goals for KIPP Indy Legacy High School (KIPP Indy). He is also the recipient of the prestigious Fisher Fellowship and the Innovation Schools Fellowship through The Mind Trust. In his role as school leader, Mr. Spencer leads the instructional and cultural vision for KIPP Indy’s first high school in Indianapolis.
Prior to joining the Innovation School Fellows, Mr. Spencer was an assistant principal at Moving Everest Charter School in Chicago. He began his career teaching in Houston Public Schools through Teach for America (TFA) and later worked for YES Prep Public Schools. During his tenure as a TFA staff member, he served as a Corps Member Advisor, Curriculum Specialist and School Director.
Our Work with KIPP Indy Legacy High School
KIPP Indy Legacy High School (KIPP Indy) is a high-performing charter school that has been a LISC partner since 2019. KIPP Indy’s mission is to create a network of schools that provides students in educationally underserved communities with a rigorous education that builds the desire and ability necessary to thrive in college and beyond. KIPP Indy strives to create “the KIPP Effect” through an extended school day, academic and character development, a relentless focus on student outcomes and college admission – coupled with an unparalleled professional development program for teachers and school leaders. KIPP Indy offers a rigorous standards aligned curriculum that pushes students to interact with grade-level texts and concepts in preparation for college. The school also offers differentiated instructional methods that ensure student needs are being met at their current performance level and supported in ways that result in academic growth.
The LISC Charter School Financing Team provided a $1.98 million subordinate loan to KIPP Indy Legacy High School of Indianapolis, Indiana for the construction of a new 55,390 square foot facility, which currently enrolls 451 high school students.
Related Articles:
School Leaders Who Inspire: Monique Daviss
School Leaders Who Inspire: James F. Waller
School Leaders Who Inspire: Denise Alexander
School Leaders Who Inspire: Traci Thibodeaux