KairosPDX was established on the belief that every child is uniquely capable, innately curious, and inherently creative. KairosPDX cultivates and illuminates the next generation of diverse leaders to build a better future for all.
Our approach of dismantling structural racism to create lasting change includes policy advocacy, non-discriminatory training, and professional development services. We provide hands-on learning through our flagship school and serve our community via partnerships and family engagement programs.
Through culturally-competent teaching, intentional interaction, and exposure to diverse role models, we help break down fear and build empathy. We teach our children through our actions and our voices to reject stereotypes and above all, to see the humanity in one another.
KairosPDX is transforming education by catalyzing change and proving that a positive, loving, and secure community can prepare students for optimal learning and compassionate leadership.
Tiffany Dempsey is a passionate leader who focuses on people. She co-founded and lead the 1st Intel Oregon “Historically Black Colleges and Universities” Alumni special interest group that annually supports several community events geared towards the education and the promotion of attendance at HBCUs.
Missi is a passionate advocate for schools that serve young people that the traditional system has failed. In 1997, she helped write and pass the sweeping expansion of Texas’ charter school law. In 1998, she founded New Frontiers Charter School in South San Antonio, serving 500 K-5 students. In 2000, she founded charter schools in Dallas (South Oak Cliff), Midland, and Houston.
She later served as the Senior Vice President of Regional Opertations for Charter Schools USA, a Florida-based education management organizations, with eight campuses in her oversight portfolio. In 2009, she served as Chief Operating Officer of American Youthworks in Austin, Texas, a 30+ year old nonprofit that delivered a charter high school program, two Americorps programs, and a Youthbuild program, later serving as interim CEO.
As a consultant, Missi has served numerous educational and arts organizations in developing funding and operations strategies. Missi is a lover of roots music, and an experienced musician. She regularly plays throughout Oregon in her band Mojo Holler.
Jasmine Love has worked in education for over 25 years, working as a teacher and administrator. Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Jasmine came to Portland, Oregon in the summer of 2015 from Los Angeles, California where she had made the transition from writing for television [where she enjoyed working on The Jamie Foxx Show and Moesha among other shows] to working in education. She received her MSEd from the University of Pennsylvania in Counseling Psychology and her BA from Oberlin College in Psychobiology, with minors in African American Studies and Comparative Religions.
Jasmine loves teaching and creating educational atmospheres that are inclusive and filled with multicultural respect. Jasmine started her work in education as a 4th grade teacher at Westland School in Brentwood. She quickly moved into educational administration at Westridge School in Pasadena, California as their Director of Equity and Inclusivity. She then moved to Palos Verdes and joined the Chadwick School leadership team as their Director of Inclusion. At Chadwick, Jasmine also taught 8th and 9th grade World History. In 2015 Jasmine was invited to join the administration at Catlin Gabel School in Portland, Oregon as their Director of Inclusion and Outreach. In that capacity she worked with KairosPDX in partnership with Catlin Gabel.
Jasmine has joined KairosPDX as their Director of Education, and looks forward to helping to align Kairos’s Mission and Vision across the Early Learning Academy, Learning Academy and the Training Academy. As an educator and counselor, Jasmine is committed to helping children and adults overcome childhood traumas and identity-based traumas. Jasmine is committed to seeing that Black children are seen for the brilliant, creative, resourceful beings that they are, and dedicated to cementing an excellent education for all students who attend KairosPDX.
Tara has been an educator, researcher, program administrator and school leader for over 20 years. Her work is grounded in social constructivism, and guided by a set of beliefs about children: they have rights and gifts that the world needs; they play a central role in their own learning; they are curious and creative pattern seekers who continuously make meaning through interactions with people, materials, ideas and the natural world; they are hard-wired for connection; they are capable problem solvers; and they use their natural learning strategy of play to develop and revise theories about themselves and others.
Tara was born and raised in Honolulu, and now lives in Portland with her family. She has influenced the educational landscape through her teacher-research and leadership at Opal School, and by collaborating on a digital library for inclusive practices with Teaching Preschool Partners. Tara has facilitated professional development workshops for educators and administrators around the world. Since serving as a founding board member of KairosPDX, when the organization was establishing its charter with Portland Public Schools, she has held a deep commitment to its mission. Currently, in addition to being a director at KairosPDX, she is a professor at the Portland State University College of Education.
What We Do?
Board.
The community we serve is reflected in our founders, our employees and our board. The building we are currently housed in intentionally serves as historical tie and space for the African-American community in North/Northeast Portland.
The KairosPDX Board of Directors generally meets on the second Wednesday every other month. The Learning Academy section of the meeting is public. To ensure access or request interpretation services, please contact us at boardsecretary@kairospdx.org.
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