06/05/2026
Congratulations to our 4th quarter honoree!
Presented to Bob Kaufman
Circle of Courage Award
INSIGHTFUL MINDS COMMUNITY
This award recognizes individuals who embody the values of Belonging, Mastery, Independence,
and Generosity in their contributions to the community.
Core Values
Belonging:
A sense of connection
and acceptance within
a community.
Mastery:
The development of
skills and competence
in various areas.
Independence:
The ability to make
responsible decisions
and act autonomously.
Generosity:
A commitment to
serving others and
contributing to the well-
being of the community.
Your nominators said:
Bob Kaufman creates a learning environment where every student feels welcomed, seen, and capable-sometimes despite their best efforts to convince him otherwise. His warm, reflective approach-paired with a quiet but quirky sense of humor that somehow makes even fractions funny—fosters a genuine sense of belonging in his classroom. Students know that Mr. Bob is in their corner, and that safety makes all the difference. He has transformed students' math abilities in a remarkably short time, helping them discover that they are truly masters at their learning. His dedication to mastery is evident in the way he continually reimagines his lesson plans and activities to meet students exactly where they are, never settling for one-size-fits-all approaches. Somehow, he's even managed to convince some colleagues that math doesn't suck as much as they thought.
What makes Bob truly exceptional is his embodiment of every value in the Circle of Courage. He builds independence by giving his time generously-meeting with students and colleagues, not to do the work for them, but to build their confidence and help them find their own footing. His generosity toward colleagues is quietly powerful: he is always willing to collaborate, share ideas, and lend his perspective in service of the whole community. He shows kindness and integrity in everything he does, despite any challenges. Mr. Bob is the kind of staff member who makes Insightful Minds a better place simply by showing up fully, every single day. He has the remarkable ability to make those
around him-students and colleagues alikebecome better versions of themselves, all while
maintaining his signature dry wit and unshakeable belief that everyone can do hard things. Mr. Bob is an integral part of the IM community.
