Rocketship Public Schools in Tennessee celebrated its 10-year anniversary last week among friends, supporters and partners. As the sole elementary-by design network of schools in Nashville, we’ve centered the experiences of our youngest Nashvillans and embraced personalized learning as our model. We were fortunate to have former Nashville mayor, Karl Dean, as our honored guest and also heard from current Nashville mayor, Freddie O’Connell. Our next decade is promising. We will scale our impact, inspire collective action, and more than anything, continue to operate high performing schools across Tennessee where every Rocketeer feels seen, valued and loved. - Executive Director, Eric Dailey
Ms. Brandy Flenoy is a kindergarten teacher at Rocketship United Academy in Tennessee. At this point in the school year, Brandy's students are confidently and independently owning their own learning. She built that system, deliberately, one routine at a time over the course of a full school year. She also puts data on the wall where students can see it. Her kindergarteners know exactly where they stand, and they cheer when a classmate moves up. No waiting for state assessments to celebrate. Every moment is a moment to celebrate progress. Check out this POV into Brandy's routine and what she does to set herself and her students up for strong growth, year over year.🚀
"As a mentor, I have seen my mentee grow tremendously in confidence, instructional decision-making, and reflective practice. Over time, they moved from seeking direction to taking ownership of their classroom, using feedback as a tool for growth rather than hesitation. I would strongly recommend this program to individuals who are organized, dedicated, driven, and open to a true culture of error—those who understand that mistakes and feedback are essential parts of becoming an effective educator. I chose to participate in this program because I want new teachers to feel genuinely supported and prepared. I am committed to sharing both my successes and challenges so residents can learn, reflect, and enter the profession with confidence and resilience."🚀 -Simran Manotra, Rocketship Teacher Residency Mentor Our Teacher Residency program is one of the many ways we commit to developing aspiring educators. Get in touch to hear more!
At Rocketship Southside Community Prep in Milwaukee, Kyle Goke builds strong relationships and sets a high bar for our Rocketeers every day. As an ISE Specialist, Mr. Kyle is constantly on the move, whether he’s helping a Rocketeer reset after a tough morning at breakfast or supporting a student who isn’t even on his caseload work through a problem. A standout educator shows up for all students, just like Mr. Kyle. 🚀 Interested in working alongside motivated educators like this? Browse our open positions here: https://bit.ly/4qYa6BL
Launch your teaching career with Rocketship Public Schools.🚀 Are you ready to make a real impact in the classroom? The Rocketship Teacher Residency is a one-year program designed to give you the mentorship, hands-on experience, and resources you need to become a successful elementary school teacher. We are seeking passionate and dedicated individuals in the San Jose and East Bay areas to join our next cohort. Learn more by joining our virtual info session on January 29th at 3 PM PT. This is your chance to hear directly from program leaders and get your questions answered! Register today and take the first step in your new career: https://bit.ly/rps129
"I often get asked about my ‘coming out’ story, especially during Pride Month. But instead of 'coming out,' I prefer to use the term 'inviting in.' 'Coming out' can stigmatize the process of revealing your sexual orientation, whereas 'inviting in' is about choosing when to bring friends and family into a more vulnerable space." At Rocketship Schools, we believe in the power of diversity and the importance of creating an inclusive environment for everyone in our community. Kadeem Gill, Executive Director of Rocketship Wisconsin, shared with us his personal journey of "inviting in" his loved ones. Read more:
In the 2023-2024 school year, Rocketship Wisconsin celebrated extraordinary academic growth. Students at Rocketship Southside Community Prep and Rocketship Transformation Prep achieved record-setting progress in both math and reading, with Southside students growing 1.55 years in math and 1.32 years in reading. Our mission goes beyond numbers. It’s about stories like Jocelyn’s, a former Rocketeer who is now heading to Marquette University debt-free as a McCray Scholar. Jocelyn credits Rocketship with giving her the academic foundation and bilingual skills that helped her excel. Her dream? To return to Milwaukee and be a beacon of hope for other minority students. Read more about the incredible progress we're making in Wisconsin:
Rocketship Schools are communities where families grow, thrive, and succeed together. Ericka Ramirez, a founding team member at Rocketship Mosaic Elementary, has spent 13 years dedicated to our mission, working her way from operations to becoming a proud first-grade STEM teacher after earning her college degree. Her son, Erick, a Rocketship alum, is now following in her footsteps—attending San Jose State University and playing for the San Jose Earthquakes junior academy. Rocketship is where dreams begin, not only for our students but for our staff and their families too. Read more about Ericka and her family’s inspiring journey:
At Rocketship Public Schools, we’re committed to supporting the whole child by deeply investing in our students and their families. Our Care Corps program goes beyond the classroom, ensuring that families have access to critical resources like food, mental health services, and more. This holistic approach creates a stronger, more connected community for everyone. If you're looking for a place where you can make a meaningful impact every day, Rocketship is the place to be. Read more about how we care for our community:
It's been over ten years since we first opened our doors in Tennessee, and what a journey it has been! Since commemorating this milestone, we've had the privilege of reconnecting with some of our alumni, each sharing their unique stories of growth, resilience, and achievement since departing Rocketship. Their reflections serve as a testament to the enduring impact of our mission and the indelible mark left by their time at Rocketship. Here's to a decade of empowering futures and igniting dreams!🚀
