What memories come to mind when you think about your school experience as a child? Imagine or think back to a time where you felt seen by your teacher—and it was clear they believed in you.
Tykisha Goldsberry is proof that such an encouraging interaction can blossom into a meaningful calling where she can inspire and pour into students and teachers daily.
She is the K-12 instructional coach at Kuumba Academy Charter School in Wilmington, Delaware. Kuumba Academy serves students up to the 8th grade, mostly from low-income and underserved communities.
Before Tykisha became an instructional coach, she taught kindergarten and 1st grade. In her current role, she uses her experience and skills to support teachers and ensure they have all the tools needed for professional growth and instruction.
After 15 years at Kuumba, Tykisha remains motivated by witnessing students grow and reach new achievement levels. The way students flourish reminds her of a flower.
“It starts out as a seed and then you just see a great big, beautiful flower before you.” – Tykisha Goldsberry, instructional coach at Kuumba Academy
Tykisha shared that one of the best parts of her job is instilling confidence into children—and watching them tap into talents they may not have realized were inside of them. And with that realization, her hope for students is that they never limit themselves or allow the natural feeling of self-doubt to stop them from pursuing their dreams.
“There is no goal that they cannot meet. I want them to understand that everything that they want in life, it’s theirs.” -Tykisha Goldsberry, instructional coach at Kuumba Academy
For many of us, success starts with that one teacher or person (whether that person is you) who instills confidence and the mindset that we’re capable of attaining our goals. It is critical to support students as they are our future leaders.
“Our children are so important because those are the children that are going to change injustices. These children are the ones that are going to make the world a better place, and they have to be our main priority” – Tykisha Goldsberry, instructional coach at Kuumba Academy
Thank you to Tykisha—and the team at Kuumba Academy—as they help to shape our world, one student at a time.
Brittnee Baker is the manager of communications and marketing at the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools.
