Keisha Evans knew that there was power in education from a young age. Her passion for teaching and learning continues to grow as she helps to educate the youngest students in Hartford Public Schools. Keisha has always wanted to be a teacher from the age of five. She would always play school with her dolls and teddy bears when she had any chance. Even when they would go away on vacation, she would make sure to play “school.”
Keisha was raised with her loving parents and her older sister. While she attended Paul Robeson High School in Brooklyn, NY, she was an active learner and earned high honors. During her senior year of high school, Keisha knew she wanted to attend the University of Hartford in Connecticut. Little did she know that Connecticut would be her new home state. Graduating summa cum laude, she obtained her Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from the University of Hartford in Early Childhood Education. Her student teaching experiences at Annie Fisher STEM and the University of Hartford Magnet School helped to solidify her love of teaching in the Hartford community. She is currently enrolled in the University of Connecticut Administrator Preparation Program, in the Neag School of Education.
She remembers being fingerprinted in 2008 to work in Hartford Public Schools as a tutor. Since then, she was an After School Teacher, Saturday Academy Instructor, Summer Enrichment Instructor, and Drill and Step Instructor at Global Communications Academy. As she thrived for more, she became an After-School Assistant and Teacher Assistant at Annie Fisher Montessori. Once completing her Master’s, she continued her teaching career at John. C. Clark and then Milner Elementary. While at Milner, she served on the Student Governance Council, a district teacher lead for Freedom Schools, worked with Catholic Charities, and won Teacher of the Year in 2019 for Milner Elementary.
Once Milner was converted into a middle school, she was assigned to Hartford Pre-K Magnet. This was a big switch for her, however, she was excited to collaborate with other Pre-K educators and meet new students. During COVID-19, she found innovative ways to keep the students engaged and emotionally healthy during this drastic change. Knowing that distance learning was a strain on typical learning, she wanted to make sure to sustain her relationship with all students and families. She would meet with parents and students online, make phone calls daily, and post videos/activities through the SeeSaw platform to ensure student and parent engagement. As we have transitioned back to full in person learning, she is always willing to go the extra mile for students and staff. Keisha enjoys seeing her students continue their educational path once they leave Hartford Pre-K Magnet. She is always filled with joy when she sees former students run up to say, “Mrs. Evans!” She finds it important to foster positive relationships with ALL students within the Hartford community.
As the lead teacher for the past three years, her skills have grown along with her passion for working with students, families, and staff. She has been on the Leadership Team, Sunshine Committee, tutored students after school, helped with virtual field trips, mentor/assist new staff, coordinate Field Day and on- site learning experiences, serve as the PTO Treasurer, plan end of the year activities, and help facilitate the completion of NAEYC accreditation. Last year she was nominated and honored as one of the 2022 Union Award Members from the Hartford Federation of Teachers.
When not in the classroom teaching or helping other teachers, you will find her spending time with her husband, three beautiful children, niece and nephew, and her parents. She enjoys shopping, dancing, and reading different texts on equity and leadership. She truly has a big heart, and this shows every day when working with her students. She has continuously called them her children and continues to go above and beyond for them daily. She has the determination and focus to provide equitable opportunities for all students. This has been a noble calling and she is fulfilling her destiny. She truly believes that power lies in education; everyone should have a piece of that power.