Lift for Life Academy

Take a look at what our kids are up to this summer! https://conta.cc/4eEz6Z2

❤️🎓🎊Congratulations to Lift For Life Academy Graduates! 🎊🎓❤️ . . . This year, Lift For Life Academy graduated more than 200 students from Kindergarten, 4th grade, 8th grade, and 12th grade combined! The kindergarten and 4th grade ceremonies were held in LFLA’s gym on Wednesday, May 22nd, while the 8th grade and 12th grade ceremonies occurred at Harris-Stowe State University on Thursday, May 23rd. . . . Read more about our graduates here: https://conta.cc/3R6ZuR4

“The world hates change, yet it is the only thing that has brought progress.” Charles Kettering Congratulations to Ms. Tierra Jackson, the Interim Principal of Lift For Life Academy Middle School, effective June 1, 2024. Ms. Jackson has had a unique pathway to principalship. She started with Lift For Life Academy in 2021 and served as an 8th grade ELA teacher for 4 short months before being promoted to the Culture Dean of the middle school. She has the uncanny ability to develop lasting relationships with students, parents and staff. Earlier this school year, LFLA had a teacher leave in the middle of the year and Tierra volunteered to teach 8th grade ELA until the end of the school year. This demonstrates her flexibility, relentlessness and her pure dedication to her students academic success. As an educator, she provides hands-on relevant ELA experiences and activities for her students as well as the passion that allows them to use their voice and go after what they desire. Her 8th graders called a Town Hall meeting with the Board of Directors and the Academy Leadership to discuss their view on the new homework policy. She has received several recognitions, such as, support staff of the year, Humanities teacher of the year, Leadership awards and more. Her Professional Experience Includes: - Culture Dean-Lift For Life Academy - Lead ELA Teacher-Lift For Life Academy - Instructional Coach-St. Louis Teacher Residency Program - Dean of Students & Culture-Eagle College Prep - Lead ELA Teacher-St. Louis Public Schools - Curriculum Writer-St. Louis Public Schools - Partner Teacher & Corp Member-Teach For America Becoming a school leader has always been a part of Tierra's pathway. After one year as a first year teacher, Ms. Jackson's skills and talents were recognized by her principal who saw the leadership within her as a new teacher. Jackson wrote 9 years ago: "My principal signed me up to be a partner teacher this summer (basically helping out incoming first year teachers & providing them with some helpful tips and feedback). She went to HR and made sure I got the position and then she volunteered me to do a professional development session for the rest of the teachers in the school on the behavior system we use in our classes." Ms. Tierra Jackson holds an EdS in Education Administration from Lindenwood University, Master of Art in Education from UMSL and a Bachelor of Science in Communication Disorders from SEMO. Her 11 year old daughter Jacquari and 5 year old son Bryson are her pride and joy. The Executive Director and Deputy Director are excited for the staff, students, parents, and community to be a part of the future endeavors of the new direction and progression of the middle school. We also thank Dr. Leathers for her time and commitment to the LFLA Family. Please congratulate Tierra on this new endeavor to assist both students and staff as we continue to Educate, Empower, and Uplift daily! 

Our 14th Annual Fashion Showcase was such a success! Read all about our event and make sure you subscribe to our newsletter so you don't miss out on more updates throughout the school year! https://conta.cc/3Uc0tjW

Today was fulfilling! We celebrated the completion ceremony for the MANUP Global Junior Academy which is our student leadership cohort. During my keynote address, I emphasized the African philosophy of Ubuntu, which means “I am because we are,” reminding them that no one is an island. Each of the 33 students delivered a 1-minute presentation on the importance of young black leadership, followed by a reception with a snack bar (their idea 😅). Also, Shoutout to the amazing staff at Lift for Life Academy for this phenomenal partnership! Grateful for the opportunity to make a real impact! #MakingMenMatter #NoMatterWhatAge

Check out what the LFLA students are winning, creating, and learning! https://conta.cc/3vrj4jk

"The goal is not to live forever, the goal is to create something that will." Congratulations to Ms. Danielle Price, the new Principal of Lift For Life Academy Elementary, effective July 1, 2024. Ms. Price has had a unique pathway to principalship. She started with Lift For Life Academy in 2017 and served as a paraprofessional after a career change to follow her passion. She quickly matriculated into the role of a teacher fellow, worked on her teaching certification and became the middle school 8th grade teacher the following year. In that year alone, she was elected as the Lift For Life Academy’s Rookie Teacher of the year, the Academy Teacher of the Year and became the recipient of The Bogard’s Humanities Teacher of the Year. In August 2019, LFLA opened its doors to the brand new elementary school and Danielle became a founding Kindergarten teacher and made a massive impact in the lives of her youngsters. Covid hit us before the end of the year but it did not stop Ms. Price. She continued to have virtual school with her students, made visits to their homes, attended their personal functions and kept them involved daily to ensure that they were not losing ground academically. No surprise, in 2020, Danielle received the Elementary Teacher of the Year. In 2021, she became the 2nd grade teacher to the same students and strengthened the relationships and academics even more. The efforts in 2021 led her to be recognized by the Association of American Educators for her dedication to education in the Charter Schools. In 2022, Ms. Price was promoted to the Director of Curriculum and Instruction. Under her leadership, the instructional coaching staff was elevated, a new curriculum was incorporated and implemented and the overall support for teachers’ growth and development enhanced greatly. She was responsible for designing and presenting professional developments for educators, coaching over 25 teachers a year using the Get Better Faster model with the focus of rigorous lesson plans and culturally responsive classroom management tools and analyzing student achievement data from NWEA and MAP to make curriculum adaptations based on student need. Earlier this school year, LFLA had a teacher to leave in the middle of the year and Danielle Price volunteered to teach 4th grade(her same students from KG and 2nd) until the end of the year because she did not want to see them fall short in any capacity. This demonstrates her flexibility, her ability to be indefatigable and her pure effectiveness to the education field. She holds a Master of Educational Leadership from SIUE and a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and Exercise Science from the UNC at Chapel Hill. The love of her life is her 6 year old daughter Dakota Price. The Board of Directors, Executive Director and Deputy Director are excited for the staff, students, parents and community to be a part of the future endeavors of the new direction and progression of the elementary school.  

Check out what's happening around LFLA this month! https://conta.cc/3uOtU2D

During #BlackHistoryMonth, we reflect, respect and celebrate the contributions that Black Americans have made in our country, as well as looking to a future that is more diverse, equitable and inclusive. Looking into the past, we celebrate Sister Thea Bowman, a Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration who was a renowned educator and advocate for racial equality, inspiring many with her faith and resilience. She advocated for improved education and inclusion for Black students, working tirelessly to implement multicultural and multilingual education in Catholic schools. On a broader scale, she worked to enrich worship practices and foster greater understanding and respect for racial diversity. Looking ahead into the future, we celebrate the students from Lift for Life Academy who participate in our SOAR program. SOAR stands for Student Ownership, Autonomy and Relevance, and is a program that runs parallel to traditional high school, providing students with relevant, real-world educational experience to prepare them for their desired careers. The future is a canvas, and every young mind holds the brush — we are committed to helping paint a brighter future for Black Americans everywhere.

LFLA Students are dissecting organs, owning businesses, and more amazing things, read all about it! https://conta.cc/48CHe8V