LaKendra Butler’s career in education began in 2005 with Teach for America in Atlanta, Georgia. After teaching in Atlanta, she started teaching at KIPP TRUTH Academy in Dallas, Texas. Butler became KIPP TRUTH’s first Assistant Principal. During her third year as the Assistant Principal, she became the School Leader and held both roles simultaneously, but eventually transitioned into the School Leader role full-time. Mrs. Butler was hired by the Tennessee Charter School Center to move to Nashville to start a charter school. In August 2014, STRIVE (6th-8th grade) was approved to open in July 2015. Ms. Butler is grateful to serve the students in the McGavock Cluster to ensure they are college-ready when they leave 8th grade.

When asked why AMA is important to her, here is what LaKendra shared:

I have the most vivid memory of my first day teaching. It was the 1st block (an inclusion class). I was right out of college and had no idea what I truly signed up for, but I had created an introduction activity that ensured every student felt safe on the first day of class. What I didn't know was I was creating an activity that would bring a group of students together to support the differing learning needs within the class. I was in tears learning about the different backgrounds and needs of students and how they built upon each other. I knew then that I was in the right place! Fast forward to many years later, I lead with that same mentality... if we get students together to learn to appreciate the unique needs they all bring, we not only create a safe space for learning, we create a true space of appreciation for each other. AMA has created a space for leaders to create this space on a larger scale! They are committed one leader at a time.