Soon after finishing her REEP MBA, 2011 graduate Barbara Campbell is at the start of something new. Shortly after our conversation Barb departed to attend the KIPP School Leadership Program at NYU, an opportunity made available through her new role as a Leading Excellence Fellow at YES Prep Public Schools. As Barb stated, “I’ve been so impressed with YES… and for the next year I’ll be extending my learning experience with them.” In this one-year intensive training program, she will gain the additional exposure and development she needs to lead a YES Prep school.
As described from the YES website:
“During this time, fellows have the opportunity to visit eight high-performing YES Prep campuses to learn the culture and academic program that makes the YES Prep system one of the best in America. In addition, fellows are able to identify their strengths and growth areas, tailor a professional development and work experience to best facilitate their personal growth, and complete specific action projects at various YES Prep schools as a means to “give back” to the host schools.
At the end of the one-year fellowship, the goal is that Leading Excellence Fellows are prepared to take on a school-level leadership position in the following year, and that they have developed the foundation necessary to run a YES Prep school in the future.”
Pursuing a fellowship with YES was a natural next step for Barb. For seven years, she taught psychology at Kingwood High School in Humble ISD and since 2000, has served as its Smaller Learning Community Coordinator where she worked to create small learning communities for the school’s 3,000 students. A campus-based leadership and advisory role, Barb’s work as a Community Coordinator focused on “bridging a gap between both sides—teacher and administration,” and maintaining a passionate focus on service-learning. In reflecting on her decision to apply for the Leading Excellence Fellowship, Barb stated, “YES stands for Youth Engaged in Service, and with my service learning program, it was a perfect fit,… [and] they’ll be using my expertise to advance their own service work.”
We’re excited to watch Barb’s journey and thankful for her time at REEP. Until we re-connect with Barb in the future, we send our support and encouragement, and wish to her a powerful new adventure in leadership!
