Christa Thomas

“I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality.... I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word.” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. As the Principal of KIPP Nashville’s newest elementary school, Christa is determined for each of her future KIPPsters to actualize the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s quote. It is her firm belief that a school should always be the heartbeat of a community and that it is our job, as educators, to pour into the lives of our students in a way that prepares them to step into and lead in the purpose assigned for their lives.Prior to becoming a Fisher Fellow, Christa was the principal at Rocketship Nashville Northeast Elementary School, where she was continuously blown away by the persistence and passion of her students, staff, and families daily. Prior to joining Rocketship, she served as a 7th and 5th grade Humanities and Writing teacher at KIPP Ascend Middle School in Chicago, Illinois. Her former KIPPsters all still have a special place in her heart! Christa also spent two years as a Manager, Teacher Leadership Development with Teach For America in Chicago where she fell in love with coaching and developing teachers. In the summers of 2011 and 2013, she was able to engage her love for effective instruction and teacher development as an Elementary Curriculum Specialist for the Teach For America Chicago Institute. Christa was a 2008Teach For America Corps member in Jacksonville, Florida where her 4th grade students made a lasting impact on her life and shaped the person and educator she is today. Christa's love for the classroom first began during her amazing experience as a first grade teacher apprentice with the Bulloch County School District. Christa received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Spelman College.