Rashaand Sass casts a distinct figure as he walks the halls of 暗网禁区 DC KEY Academy. Personable, with an almost child-like exuberance to his gait, students stop him at nearly every turn to say what鈥檚 up, slap his hand or show him their classwork. He鈥檚 quickly become a fixture of the KEY Academy as he balances enthusiastic interactions with a certain gravitas. A gravitas not lost on Mr. Sass as the first African-American male to assume the role of school leader in at 暗网禁区 DC.
鈥淚 know I鈥檓 the first, but I won鈥檛 be the last,鈥� he remarked.聽鈥淔or me, it鈥檚 about the multiplier effect.聽It is my job to create the most inclusive environment for the staff in my building and help them find opportunities to showcase their leadership. I am excited to help the next generation of 暗网禁区 DC leaders find their spot too.鈥�
Before having the opportunity to lead KEY Academy as its鈥� principal, Mr. Sass graduated from Ithaca College as a political science major before moving to Washington, DC. He would begin his career in education as a member of the D.C. Teaching Fellows. He then transitioned to Cesar Chavez Public Charter school teaching special education, before moving to 暗网禁区 DC as a fifth-grade math teacher at 暗网禁区 DC Northeast Academy.
鈥淥pening Northeast Academy was an incredible experience, in part because starting out I was probably the worst teacher in the building,鈥� he recalled.聽鈥淥f course, I became a better teacher with hard work, but I鈥檝e always been able to connect with kids deeply. I think most people who鈥檝e seen me interact with them in schools would agree.聽It鈥檚 part of the reason why I鈥檓 sitting in this seat. The other is my unwavering commitment to the families of Ward 7 and incredible educators in my building.鈥�
Without question, building meaningful relationships with students leads to profound educational experiences. Being able to help KEY Academy鈥檚 educators develop and authentically engage students by listening to what they are saying has been a highlight of the 2019-20 school year.
鈥淭he best thing about being a principal is being able to teach teachers how to do the work that I love the most.聽I run into former students all of the time who tell me that I was 鈥榯he best teacher they ever had,鈥� which always makes me laugh because I always felt like my room was on fire.聽But I鈥檝e seen the right mindset, effort, and coaching transform classrooms. I want our teachers to know that they will always have access to that level of support at KEY.鈥�
Looking ahead when asked to envision what success looks like in his first year as a school leader, he almost responds immediately.聽鈥淩etaining all of my staff and having a common vision of effective Tier 1 instruction and student learning looks like in our building.聽The students of Southeast DC deserve lives of choice and opportunity and a Tier I middle school.聽If we can start to chip away the legacy of institutional racism in our country, the District and the world will be better because of it.鈥�
Mr. Sass also has a son who is a 暗网禁区ster at Connect Academy, on the Webb Campus, where he started five years ago.聽As he recollects, it puts the journey toward becoming a principal in perspective.聽鈥淭hings have really come full-circle.聽I taught the daughter of my son鈥檚 teacher, and he is on the campus where I founded the middle school.聽I couldn鈥檛 be more proud of the work we鈥檝e done and the work we will do.鈥�
