Small Steps, Big Impact
KIPP DC Discover Academy Special Education Teacher, Sharaia Hayes’ journey into education started long before she ever imagined leading a classroom. Her spark for early childhood education can be traced back to second or third grade, when she created an enrichment program and presented it to her principal. An idea that led her to become a kind of teacher’s aide in a kindergarten class at her school. This passion continued to grow through involvement in youth ministry, Sunday school teaching, and volunteering in early childhood classrooms. Although she initially pursued a career in the fashion industry after college, she quickly realized it didn’t bring her joy. “I realized I really wasn’t enjoying what I was doing. I started reflecting back on things that made me happy and what I was passionate about when I was younger, and it led me back to teaching.”
KIPP DC’s Capital Teaching Residency program offered Mrs. Hayes exactly what she needed. “It’s kind of like a slow paced start. I wanted to get some mentoring and some actual professional development to help me grow into a teacher role. That’s where it all started.” A member of the 2017 CTR cohort, she recalls the hands-on training that shaped her thinking as a new educator, including a lesson-planning assignment that required her to map out objectives, checks for understanding, and build instructional steps from scratch. “It helped me get prepared to look at all my lessons and really focus on what the end goal is for students and how I’m going backwards-plan to get them there.”
According to Mrs. Hayes, nothing has shaped her career like moving into Special Education (SPED). After years of serving as a PreK3 Lead teacher at KIPP DC Discover Academy, she told her principal she hoped to step into a SPED role. When the opportunity presented itself, she nervously accepted “I’m glad I did. It gave me a different experience… as a lead teacher, you have an idea of what special education is, but once you step into the role, you see there’s a lot that comes with it.” Over time, she grew not only her instructional skills but also her understanding of compliance, teamwork, and the deep relationships needed to support students with IEPs (Individualized Education Plan). She credits KIPP DC’s expanding support systems, such as early childhood SPED directors, monthly case manager cohorts, and coaching for preparing her for the work.
While the professional growth has been constant, Mrs. Hayes makes it clear that she gets the most joy from her students. This year, one of her returning students has amazed her with his independence. “He went and grabbed the cue he usually uses and put it on his visual schedule tray,” she said, smiling. “He knows what’s coming up next. He’s becoming more independent.” She described him turning off the classroom lights and joining the carpet without being prompted before a movement break. “Just seeing those little light bulb moments really brings a lot of joy to me.”
For Mrs. Hayes, setting strong routines and foundational skills in early childhood is life-shaping work. “We’re really giving them the tools and structures to help them find self-regulation so they’re able to attend to content,” she explained. “Learning to wait in line translates to waiting at the DMV or paying for your things at the cash register. So, all those things we’re trying to build structures for them so that they can become independent humans as they continue to grow in school.” Helping students understand who they are, what is expected, and how to navigate the world is at the heart of her teaching.
When asked what she would tell someone considering joining KIPP DC, her advice is clear and honest. “Expect high standards of teaching,” she said. “Be open to collaborating with your team, learning from veteran teachers and new teachers, and expressing your ideas.” She emphasizes the importance of community, family partnership, and being willing to ask for help. And in classic Mrs. Hayes fashion, she adds a simple, practical tip that says everything about her dedication: “Always have a pen and notebook to take notes. Be ready for good professional development that is related to the content!”
See photos from our visit to Mrs. Hayes’ classroom.
