Great leaders are an essential part of building loving, identify-affirming, and high-achieving schools! We are excited to highlight the 2021-22 Principal-in-Residence cohort! Each of these tremendous leaders has spent many years teaching and leading our students at KIPP DC and will now participate in this program to prepare them to assume the role of school leader within the next few years.
Quintin Lewis
Quintin Lewis is currently one of the vice principals at Arts & Technology Academy. Quintin joined KIPP DC in 2014 as a Capital Teaching Resident. Lewis then became a lead teacher, grade level lead, Saturday School coordinator and 2016 recipient of the KIPP DC Board Award. Quintin has taught kindergarten for several years, and enjoys coaching and working with PK3 and PK4 students, teachers and families. Before KIPP DC, Lewis worked as a professional tour actor for New Stage Theatre in Jackson, MS and Missoula Children’s Theatre in Missoula, MT. Quintin has traveled the globe delivering small performances to kids in communities with limited to no exposure to the arts. Lewis explains those opportunities, experiences and skills gained while touring, now coupled with the professional development and training from KIPP DC were the foundation to where he is now. Outside of school, his favorite food is any seafood grilled, steamed or fried, his favorite color is BLACK, and his favorite song to dance to is anything by Beyonce. Quintin loves hanging out with his brother and friends and more recently making a bucket list of all the places to visit.
Lindsay Looft
Lindsay Looft has spent the last 10 years with KIPP DC as a teacher and leader at KEY Academy. During that time, she has completed the KIPP School Leadership Program and the National Principal Academy Fellowship with Relay Graduate School of Education. She has been vice-principal for KIPP DC KEY Academy for the past four years, where she has worked with 5th through 8th graders and supported math instruction. Before settling in Washington, DC, she taught middle school science in New York City. Lindsay holds a bachelor’s in biology and French from the University of Georgia and a master’s degree in education from Lehman College. Outside of school, she enjoys cooking, reading, and spending time outside with family and friends.
Cynthia David
Cynthia David is a committed educator who has worked at KIPP DC for 11 years. A Bronx native, Cynthia started her journey with KIPP DC in 2010 as a Capital Teaching Resident at Discover Academy. In 2011, she became a founding teacher at Heights Academy. There, she taught 1st grade and became a vice principal. After 9 years at the Douglass Campus, Cynthia transitioned to the Somerset campus to become a founding vice principal at Honor Academy. Prior to joining KIPP DC, Cynthia taught in Cameroon as a U.S. Fulbright English Teaching Assistant. Cynthia earned a bachelor’s in Elementary Education and a minor in French from the University of Scranton and also holds a master’s in International Education from the George Washington University. Fluent in five languages, Cynthia enjoys learning about the world by using her language skills to interact with others worldwide. When school is not in session, you can catch Cynthia lost in a book, gallivanting across the globe, and enjoying the DC food scene.
Jade Fleming
Jade began her career in education as a 5th-grade teacher in her hometown of Hampton, Virginia before relocating to Washington, DC to join the KIPP DC family. In 2014, she started as a 1st grade Capital Teaching Resident at Lead Academy. There she grew to become a founding member of the 3rd-grade team and later, grade-level chair. After 5 years in upper school, she transitioned to lower school, where she currently serves as the 1st and 2nd-grade vice principal. Jade is a proud graduate of the “Real HU,” Hampton University. There she obtained a bachelor of arts degree in English. She also earned a master’s degree and teaching certification in PK-6 Elementary Education from Old Dominion University in 2013. When Jade is not working, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, listening to 90’s R&B, devouring podcasts, and indulging in delicious eats.
Stephanie Beltrán
Stephanie Beltrán is currently a vice principal at KIPP DC Quest Academy. Previously, Stephanie served as a vice principal at KIPP DC Heights Academy. Stephanie began her career in education as a Teach For America corps member in 2012. In 2013, she joined KIPP Jacksonville as a founding 1st and 2nd Grade teacher at KIPP Voice Elementary. After 3 years in Jacksonville, FL, Stephanie made the big move to Washington, D.C. to join her new team and family at KIPP DC. Stephanie has had the great privilege of teaching cohorts of students across grades 1-3, spanning multiple countries; including India and Ecuador. Stephanie’s most treasured moment in her teaching career was supporting her cohort of 2nd graders with professionally publishing their fiction narratives into bright, hardcover books. Prior to teaching, Stephanie earned a Bachelor’s of Liberal Arts from Colorado College, where she majored in Anthropology and minored in Race and Ethnic Studies and Spanish Literature. Outside of school, Stephanie enjoys partaking in all of the amazing culinary experiences D.C. has to offer as well as trying on some of her own home cooking and baking.
Jesse Meyer
Jesse Meyer is a former teacher, vice principal, and director of high school instruction. Jesse began her career as a teacher in Prince George’s County, Maryland, and in 2021 she celebrated 10 years with KIPP DC. She was a founding third-grade teacher at Promise Academy before becoming a vice principal in 2012. It was an honor for her to see it become a National Blue Ribbon Award-winning school during her tenure. After 7 years at Promise, Jesse became the director of high school instruction at KIPP DC College Preparatory, where she rejoined her original class of third graders as high school sophomores. In this role, she managed the English department, led professional development, and wrote curriculum for both KIPP DC high schools. Jesse graduated with honors and a bachelor’s in Psychology from Washington University in St. Louis, and a master’s in School Supervision and Administration from National Louis University. Outside of school, Jesse enjoys spending time with her friends and dog (Beckham), finding a great online shopping deal, and watching Bravo.
