National Teacher Appreciation Week: Kim Hargett

Kim Hargett is a first year DC Teaching Fellow and teaches 5th grade math at DC Scholars PCS. Her hard work, drive to improve her craft, and dedication to ensuring all of her scholars succeed is evident every day in her classroom. 

Before she began teaching, Ms. Hargett worked at a law firm and coached 3rd through 8th grade lacrosse in the evenings.

“Even after a long day at the office, I found myself really looking forward to coaching and working with kids," said Ms. Hargett. Coaching was a great introduction to teaching, but at the beginning of her first year teaching, Ms. Hargett struggled with helping her scholars understand the “whys and hows” of math. She continued, “i’ve worked a lot with Sarah Pessagno, our math coach, to be more open to teaching math differently from the way I learned it and to better reach my students.” Ms. Hargett’s effort is paying off, 95% of her students scored proficient on the most recent ANet interim assessment.

Growing up in Montgomery County, Maryland, “college was expected of me—it wasn’t a choice,” Ms. Hargett explains. “My kids don’t have all the same opportunities I did. I’m constantly reminding them not to let anything or anyone hold them back from college and success. Here, I can help close the gap and change my kids’ lives. I’m so excited to make my instruction 100 times better next year.”

Thank you for your innovative work, Ms. Hargett!

This week PCSB is highlighting public charter school teachers that work hard every day to prepare DC’s public charter school students for college and the workforce. From PK to adult education programs, public charter school teachers strive to increase the academic performance and school culture for their students.

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