“To be honest, I always ran away from teaching,” reflects Aiyonna Aviles, 5th and 6th grade social studies teacher at KIPP DC WILL Academy. “In my head, I’m like, ‘No. I’m not going to be a teacher.’ But looking back, I was always teaching.”
Originally from Virginia Beach, Aiyonna majored in history at Norfolk State University, then spent years working in museums and research institutions in New York. “I love to research. When I was an undergrad, I was a student researcher for the National Science Foundation, so I got to travel and research. I miss that aspect—falling down a rabbit hole and uncovering more and more information.”
Though she once tried to “run away from teaching,” the role found her again and again. From being a camp counselor, reading bedtime stories to the neighbors, and after-school teaching at a children’s program to working at the Louis Armstrong House Museum and the New York Historical Society, Aiyonna realized, “Even doing research and teaching in museums, I’m still teaching public education.”
When the pandemic hit, she transitioned into classroom teaching full-time, eventually finding her way to KIPP DC after seven years in New York. “I love New York, but I was more exhausted just by living in the big city.” DC offered something different. “I always loved visiting DC, so I came down, and I loved KIPP DC and WILL Academy.”
At WILL, Aiyonna brings her deep love of history into every lesson. “I think everyone thinks of historical content and things that happened in the past. But the social part is that what happened in the past is impacting what’s happening right now.” In her classroom, students explore not just geography and culture, but economics, global connections, and human experiences. “They are starting to connect the dots between history, geography, culture, and their own lives here in DC. It’s powerful.”
Her classroom is rooted in inquiry, connection, and critical thinking. “They like to collaborate and ask questions,” Aiyonna shares about her students. “We’ll be in a lesson, and they will be, ‘Well, hold on, how does this work? How does rent work? How do taxes work?’ And we’re unpacking all of that.” Recent lessons have covered everything from how rent and taxes work to planning African vacations using real budgets and currency conversions.
As a first-year teacher at KIPP DC, Aiyonna has already felt the strong community. “I like that I’m challenged to be a better teacher every day, but I also have the support to grow.” With coaching, team meetings, and consistent support, she feels both challenged and cared for. “I’m hard on myself, but I’m realizing that I need to give myself flowers, too,” she reflects. “My students are learning, they’re remembering, and they’re excited to be here. That matters.”
Looking ahead, Aiyonna hopes to dive deeper into curriculum work. “That’s really what I’m passionate about. I would love to frame a curriculum that is impactful, not just learning dates and times or places, but really deep diving into the connection between all of these things.”
Until then, she’s right where she’s meant to be—sparking curiosity, encouraging questions, and helping students see how history lives all around them.
