Embracing Growth: My Journey at Rocketship

By Irum Pierce, Assistant Principal at Rocketship Infinity Community Prep

Whenever someone asks me what my favorite part of my job is, I know the answer immediately: Coaching teachers. Coaching allows me to work with teachers with a variety of experiences, dive into content and student data, and directly impact the growth and success of students, which is exactly why I love being an Assistant Principal at Rocketship Infinity Community Prep.

While becoming a teacher and educator had always been a part of my mission and goals, I had no idea that coaching and development would end up being a part of my calling. I grew up in South Africa and India, then I finished the last three years of highschool in Washington DC, where I started my journey as an educator. As a math major at George Washington University, I initially envisioned myself becoming a middle school math teacher, inspired by the joy of helping students unlock the mysteries of mathematics. After some unexpected changes in my career path, I found myself teaching pre-k for seven transformative years at KIPP DC.

As an early childhood teacher, I loved helping set the incredibly important foundation for future learning for our youngest students. During this time I also had the opportunity to mentor first year teachers and I realized that I was really passionate about helping other educators find their own passion and unleash their potential to be the best teachers they could be. I had so many mentors throughout my career, and now it was my turn to work as a coach myself.

The role of an Assistant Principal at Rocketship has challenged me to blend instructional leadership with coaching and content expertise, pushing me to grow in ways I never imagined. Through live coaching sessions, one-on-one meetings, and data analysis, I have grown exponentially in supporting teachers’ professional development.

One of the most rewarding experiences of my journey has been coaching individual teachers of various backgrounds and there’s one teacher in particular who stood out. Over the course of my first year at Rocketship, I witnessed remarkable growth in their classroom practices, culminating in tangible achievements and a deepened professional relationship. Through honest and direct feedback, coupled with genuine care and support, we worked together to nurture leadership, deep content expertise, and incredible growth.

As a leader at Rocketship, I have grown immensely. Day-in and day-out, I find myself surrounded by mentors and colleagues who believe in my potential and invest in my growth. From content expertise to people management skills, I soak up knowledge from seasoned educators like LaToya Pearson and Angel McNeil. I am so thankful to have their guidance, example, and support every step of the way.

The journey of learning and coaching is never-ending. As I look ahead to my third year as an Assistant Principal, I am excited about what more there is to learn – as a coach, as a content expert, and as a leader at Rocketship. Through personalized coaching, robust support systems, and a commitment to excellence, educators like me find not just a job, but a calling – a calling to uplift, empower, and transform lives, one student and one teacher at a time.

Published on April 18, 2024