Deja Hawkins, Legacy College Preparatory
Empowering Students Through Spanish
Deja Hawkins, a passionate Spanish 1 teacher at KIPP DC Legacy College Preparatory, has a unique journey shaped by her personal experience with literacy and language.
Growing up, Hawkins found that Spanish was her key to learning to read. “I had trouble with literacy growing up where I actually couldn’t read until I was about 14,” she reflects, recognizing the language’s powerful role in opening up the world of literacy for her. “My Spanish 1 teacher, she taught me how to read and didn’t realize what she was doing in that moment. I could take some of those foundational principles of language learning and syntax and apply them to other classes. They say success principles are transferable, and that’s absolutely true.” She now brings this same passion for language and literacy to her students, striving to unlock their potential and empower them through the beauty of communication.
Hawkins’s approach to teaching, rooted in her deeply personal understanding of how literacy can change lives, believes that by fostering literacy, she is helping her students break through barriers and discover limitless opportunities. “It’s about creating an individualized plan for each student,” she explains. “It’s about building those relationships with each student to go, ‘Hey, I see you. I see these skills you have. Let’s focus on these strengths, and let’s get these weaknesses in order.'” This individualized attention empowers students to excel academically and prepares them for future endeavors, whatever that means for them.
One of Hawkins’s key values is the importance of autonomy in the classroom, which is one reason she chose to teach at KIPP DC. “If you appreciate the level of autonomy in your classrooms, this is the perfect place for you,” she shares. KIPP DC’s commitment to providing teachers with the tools, resources, and trust they need to succeed has been a crucial factor in her decision to stay. “I know that if there’s ever anything that I need, want to order for my kids, want to bring into the classroom, create new experiences — that’s all something that can be done,” she says. This support allows her to continually innovate and cater her lessons to her students’ needs, creating an enriching and dynamic learning environment.
Hawkins also values the ongoing coaching she receives at KIPP DC, which helps her continuously improve as an educator. “Miss Briggs and Miss Woolery… they come into my classroom on a biweekly basis. They’ll come in, take notes, and they have constructive feedback for me,” she notes. This feedback is vital for her growth, allowing her to refine her techniques and stay connected with her students’ evolving needs. The feedback loop at KIPP DC has been instrumental in fostering her professional development, ensuring she never stagnates and continues to strive for excellence.
For Hawkins, teaching isn’t just a job—it’s a calling. She shares a deep connection with her students, seeing reflections of herself in their struggles and triumphs. “There are so many moments where I see myself as a younger version of myself in these students,” she says. “I get to nurture you.” This empathy fuels her dedication to her students, motivating her to provide them with the tools to succeed both in the classroom and life.
Looking ahead, Hawkins envisions even greater growth at KIPP DC. She dreams of taking her students abroad to immerse them in Spanish-speaking cultures, solidifying their language skills and expanding their horizons. Her ultimate goal is to continue fostering a program that not only teaches language but empowers students to use literacy as a tool for liberation. “Literacy and liberation is empowering the students each and every day in all of our classrooms,” she affirms.
Hawkins’s journey at KIPP DC is a testament to the power of literacy, the impact of supportive teaching environments, and the profound effect of educators who believe in their students’ potential.
Ready to help change a student’s life? Learn more about becoming a KIPP DC teacher!
See photos from our visit to Deja’s Classroom
