Jeff King-A Revolutionary
My dad is currently an elementary school principal and has been an educator for more than 20 years, and in one month is retiring.
Jeff King has spent the last couple years as a co-principal of an Los Penasquitos Elementary School. He’s reinvented himself numerous times over his past twenty-something years in the business. He started as a 2nd grade teacher, spent time doing administrative work in the district office, as a middle-school math teacher, then a middle school vice principal, elementary school principal, high school principal, and finally is finishing up his years as an elementary school principal yet again.
But more importantly my father has begun a revolution. It all started with a dream, and morphed into a reality.
His dream? He believed that all students could learn and be successful.
Revolutionary:
–adjective
1. of, pertaining to, characterized by, or of the nature of a revolution, or a sudden, complete, or marked change: a revolutionary junta.
The day he became principal at Los Penasquitos Elementary School, he began a revolution. Over the past eleven years with the tireless effort of all Los Pen teachers, support staff, and their two principals, Jeff King and Damen Lopez, Los Pen went from a school that was “doing as well as could be expected” educating some of the poorest kids in the community; to a school who routinely out performs their other more affluent neighboring schools.
Revolutionary:
–adjective
2. radically new or innovative; outside or beyond established procedure, principles, etc.: a revolutionary discovery.
Educating poor and underprivileged kids is my dad’s life work, his passion. I, as I’m sure many of his colleges, have gotten an earful on more than one occasion about why it is possible, important, even critical for all underprivileged children to be educated.
He along with Damen believed they had a message that must be shared with a larger population than just one elementary school. They believe that all children in low-income areas have the right to be educated and successful. As a result, Jeff and Damen started TurnAroundSchools, a company providing training for teachers based on the following principals:
* All children, even those who live in poverty or who are learning English, can be academically successful and attend college.
* Public K-8 schools have to power to make that dream a reality.
Now my dad along with Damen is educating teachers, principals, and superintendents in masses so they can begin revolutions at their own schools.
Jeff King.
A man who can be quite impossible and rarely takes no for an answer.
A father, husband, educator.
A revolutionary.
–noun
1. a person who advocates or takes part in a revolution.
Since I cannot be there on Thursday to toast my dad at his retirement party, I’d like to say the following:
You are a man who has changed the lives of thousands of students and teachers. You believe in the unique ability of each individual you come across. Because of you and your leadership, many children who previously did not have a chance, do. Because of you, lives have been changed. Because of you, I am a better teacher. Because of you, this world is a better place.
The mark you leave on education is one of high expectations, a belief that all students can learn, hope, and success.
You have inspired teachers to greatness, and children to dream dreams they never believed they could. Because of you, we all are better.
As I’m sure your staff is, I am saddened to see you retire. But we know you have great things in store. We know that you’ve been called to make a difference in many more children’s lives.
You have begun a revolution.
And we are so proud.
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Now it’s your turn… do you know Jeff King? Is there a funny story that sticks out in your mind that you’d like to share? A thought or toast? Please leave a comment and I’ll make sure he reads each and every one. Thanks!
