Jessica Cunningham Akoto

Jessica Cunningham Akoto is the KIPP Foundation’s Executive in Residence. In this critical work, Jessica focuses on sites that face specific barriers to improving outcomes and/or achieving growth. She works side-by-side regional leaders, school leaders, and board members to identify and execute the steps to produce superior results and healthy growth.

Jessica joined the KIPP Foundation after 14 years with KIPP DC as a teacher, middle school principal, high school principal, and Chief Academic Officer. She is a Fellow of the fourth class of the Pahara-Aspen Education Fellowship, a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network, and a 2015 Milken Educator Award winner. Jessica earned a B.S. in African American History from Florida A&M University and a Masters in Elementary Education from American University. She lives in Silver Spring, Maryland with her husband and bonus daughter.

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