About John Rajeski

Managing Director of Talent Development

John oversees the strategic design and implementation of KIPP Atlanta’s talent development initiatives, with a focus on the Teacher Residency program and regional leader development strategy. Before stepping into his current role, in 2019, John was the Director of Residency building out a program which to date is responsible for the recruitment and development of 200 aspiring educators into lead classroom teachers.

John began his journey into the world of education in 2001 as a Teach for America Corps member. In 2003, he began his 20+ year career with KIPP Charter Schools, first as a founding staff member at KIPP STAR College Prep Charter School in Harlem. In 2005, he was named one of KIPP’s 10 most outstanding educators across the country, receiving the Harriet Ball Excellence in Teaching Award. In 2007, John moved into school leadership assuming the role of Co-Principal.

In 2009, he moved to Atlanta to again become a founding staff member this time at KIPP STRIVE Academy. During that time, John was again honored as one of the top performing educators in the state of Georgia as well contributing to KIPP STRIVE Academy being named a National Blue Ribbon School in 2015 and the Georgia Charter School of the Year Award in 2016. John then joined KIPP Atlanta’s regional team as their Director of Literacy before transitioning in 2017 to the KIPP Foundation as their Literacy Achievement Director.

John is a graduate of Syracuse University with a B.A. in Communications and a Master of Science in Teaching from Pace University.