--Teacher one of ten winners in pool of nearly 1,000 eligible educators--

ORLANDO, FL - August 6, 2009 - KIPP Aspire Academy teacher Jay Gowen received a $10,000 Excellence in Teaching Award at an award ceremony in Orlando, FL.  Over 1,700 educators from 19 states attended the ceremony to honor excellence in teaching and learning.

Gowen is one of only ten teachers selected from a pool of nearly 1,000 educators from across the country to win the $10,000 Excellence in Teaching Award.  The award is designed to recognize outstanding public school teachers.  Winning teachers are nominated by their school principal based on their proven track record for improving student achievement, inspiring others teachers, and contributing to their school communities.  The awardees are selected by a committee that includes past winners, KIPP's co-founders and leading educators.

Mr. Gowen transferred to KIPP Aspire from KIPP Los Angeles College Prep to be the eighth grade language arts teacher.  He demonstrates an expertise in every aspect of his teaching, from facilitating multiple learning styles and building on strengths to developing appropriate modifications and creative assessments.  Jay's efforts have been reflected in his students' test scores.  In 2008, 100 percent of Jay's students earned a passing score on the end-of-year state exam, and 66 percent earned a commended score of 94 percent or higher.  In 2009, 99 percent of Jay's students earned a passing score, and 76 percent earned a commended score.

KIPP Aspire is an open-enrollment public charter school, which was founded in 2003 with its first class of fifth graders.  KIPP Aspire added a grade each year, and by fall 2006 had grown to its full size of about 360 students in grades five through eight.  98 percent of KIPP Aspire's students are African-American or Hispanic/Latino, and 85 percent qualify for free or reduced price lunch.  Mr. Gowen will continue to serve as the eighth grade language arts teacher at KIPP Aspire for the 2009-10 school year.

"Most results that Jay achieves in his language arts class are difficult to quantify," said KIPP Aspire school leader Joyce Boubel. "In addition to increasing our students' knowledge of literature and writing, he infused our students with a love of reading.  His success is rooted in his deep understanding of how students learn, knowing just when and how to push them, hold them accountable, and encourage them.  Jay is in complete control of the classroom using innovative curriculum and behavior cues to direct his classroom as a conductor would lead an orchestra."

KIPP (Knowledge Is Power Program) is a national network of college preparatory, public charter schools.  There are 82 KIPP schools in 19 states and Washington, DC serving over 20,000 students.  Over 80 percent of KIPP students are low-income, and 90 percent are African-American or Latino/Hispanic. Nationally, more than 85 percent of KIPP alumni have matriculated to college, as compared to an average of 20 percent for students from low income families.

The success of KIPP schools has been featured recently in several national publications. On July 17, Gilberto Cruz wrote in Time Magazine that KIPP's charter schools are "high-performing," and, "combine more class time with a rigorous curriculum and exceptionally devoted teachers." On June 5, The New York Times columnist Bob Herbert cited KIPP as "one of the most academically sound public school programs in the nation." In April 2009, The Economist magazine wrote that, "KIPP schools are the most striking example of a movement that is improving education across America."

KIPP schools forge a unique partnership between parents, students and families to ensure that all children reach high standards. KIPP students are typically in school from 7:30 AM until 5:00 PM Monday through Friday, every other Saturday and for three weeks during the summer. Teachers are available in the evening to help with homework and offer other assistance.

"Jay Gowen and the other teachers who won $10,000 awards are having a real impact on the lives of their students and in their school community," said Richard Barth, CEO of the KIPP Foundation. "By doing whatever it takes to help their students succeed, these teachers are proving what is possible in public education."