Susan Schaeffler

Susan Schaeffler, KIPP DC's founding principal and CEO, is an award-winning teacher, teacher-trainer and school founder. She was named a 2008 Washingtonian of the Year, one of the 12 Who Might Steal the Spotlight in 2007 by the Washingtonian Magazine, and was named one of the 2008 40 under 40 by the EnVest Fund. Under her guidance, KIPP DC has grown from one school in 2001 to seven current schools serving over 1,500 students.  In 2001, Mrs. Schaeffler founded KIPP DC: KEY Academy after being selected as one of three inaugural KIPP Fisher Fellows. Prior to founding KIPP DC, Ms. Schaeffler also spent 9 years as a classroom teacher, starting as a member of the 1992 Teach for America Corps in Baltimore City Schools, followed by 1 year in Ethiopia, and 4 years teaching in District of Columbia Public Schools. Mrs. Schaeffler earned a B.S. in human development and family studies from Colorado State University and an M.A. in Instructional Systems Design from the University of Maryland.