A Passion for Education That Found Its Way to KIPP DC
Meet Christopher Jean-Baptiste, a KIPP DC special education teacher who shows how passion and purpose can lead you exactly where you’re meant to be—even if it’s not where you expected to land.
Mr. Jean-Baptiste, affectionately known as Mr. JB by his students at The Learning Center (TLC), didn’t initially set out to be a teacher. He studied corporate security in college in New York and started his career working in investigations, dealing with small business fraud claims. But outside of his day job, he spent his time mentoring young people. Whether volunteering with Big Brothers Big Sisters, leading educational activities through his fraternity Alpha Phi Alpha, or working with the Boys and Girls Club, Mr. JB found himself consistently drawn to work with kids. “Everything I was doing outside of work had to do with youth, and I enjoyed it more. I had a passion for it, and I was like, maybe I should look into this,” he said.
That realization led him to apply to the NYC Teaching Collaborative program. From there, he became a substitute teacher, then a full-time science teacher, then a kindergarten teacher—eventually, finding his way to KIPP DC. “I was looking for a change, something new,” he shared. “I’d never really lived anywhere outside of New York. DC seemed like the right move. It kept me close to my mom in New York and my sister in Baltimore. And once I met Mr. Cordell and the leadership team here, they got me excited to take on this adventure.”
Now in his third year at TLC, Mr. JB is a special education teacher—a role he’s genuinely passionate about. “No offense to general education teachers,” he laughs, “but special education is definitely the best.” He loves the deep, intentional support surrounding educators and students at KIPP DC. From behavior analysts and psychologists to mental health practitioners and teachers, he describes a wraparound support system that ensures no one ever feels alone. “Even if a student’s having a rough day, we come together, collaborate, and build a plan. It’s not top-down. Everyone’s voice is heard.”
That support also extends to his own development. Mr. JB is a big fan of immediate, actionable feedback. “If I’m teaching a new lesson or working with a tricky student, I can ask for help anytime, and someone’s there,” he says. “I feel like I’ve become a better teacher. I’ve become a better person simply because I learned you don’t always have to do something alone. I’ve never been so supported in literally everything that I do.”
But at the heart of everything is his love for the students. He sees their potential clearly and believes in their ability to grow and succeed. “There’s nothing stopping them from learning. They can learn. They will learn. They have learned. And they will go off to do great things. It helps fuel me,” he continues, “working with them and making sure that I’m doing the best that I can for them so that they can turn out the best for themselves.”
He emphasizes the importance of connecting on a personal level, too, like bonding over WWE matches during morning check-ins or being flexible with routines to meet students where they are. “I’ve learned that with our students. It’s OK to be silly with them. It’s OK to play. It’s OK to go off topic and talk about their interests—mess up the schedule a bit. They appreciate that.”
When asked what makes KIPP DC special, Mr. JB doesn’t hesitate: “There’s structure, but also freedom. I can be creative. I can teach in ways that work best for my students.” That balance, along with the deep sense of community and support, has made his journey to TLC not just worthwhile but also transformative.
Mr. JB’s story reminds us that sometimes, our path finds us. And when it does, the impact can be life-changing—not just for one person, but for every student lucky enough to walk into his classroom.
See photos from our visit!
