Village Leadership Academy

09/10/2026

“Are you ready?”

“WE ARE ALWAYS READY!” 💚

There’s something special about hearing our scholars begin the day together, affirming how we will think, work, treat one another, and move through the world.

This is how we set the tone at ITAV Leadership Academy.

“Then let us begin.” 💚

09/10/2026

💚 Developing the next generation of thoughtful, informed leaders.

Dean McDonald has been engaging our middle school scholars in a series of leadership classes exploring history, community, civic responsibility and the many ways people have worked to shape the world around them.

Through reading, writing and thoughtful discussion, students are examining historical events, considering different perspectives and developing their ability to think critically and express their ideas.

At ITAV Leadership Academy, leadership development is an important part of how we prepare our scholars for the world beyond the classroom.

Thank you, Dean McDonald, for creating opportunities for our students to learn, question, reflect and grow. 💚💛

08/10/2026

💚 Apparently, Ms. Porter’s 5th graders decided it was MATCH DAY! 😂

Matching ITAV green, big smiles, and plenty of personality!

We love these little moments of classroom community. Sometimes the best memories are the ones our scholars create themselves.

5th grade understood the assignment! 💚😂

07/10/2026

A huge thank you to Benjamin Randle for donating books to ITAVLA! 📚✊🏾

His generosity is helping us build a Social Justice Library filled with stories that inspire, empower, and create change.

Be inspired. Give today. Help us build a more liberated future—one book at a time.

→ bit.ly/LiberatedVoices26

07/10/2026

“Mr. Holloway, I’m done!” 👀

Not in Mr. Holloway’s classroom. 😂

One of his favorite classroom systems is the Never Done Bag. Students always have meaningful work available when they finish an assignment, along with leisure books for independent reading.

It’s a simple system, but it does something important. Students don’t have to wait for the teacher to tell them what comes next. They already know.

That means less downtime, fewer interruptions and more independence.

Another small look at the intentional systems our teachers use every day to help classrooms run well and keep students learning. 💚

Teachers, what’s your system for early finishers?

06/10/2026

Getting the reps in. 🏐💚

Our 8th graders are building their volleyball skills in PE, practicing the fundamentals, making adjustments and getting better with every repetition.

Not every learning moment happens at a desk.

Coordination, communication, persistence and teamwork are being built here too.

Practice. Adjust. Try again.

That’s how we grow. 💚

06/10/2026

Monday in Kindergarten 💚📚

Small group learning and centers are in full effect in Ms. Nolen’s kindergarten classroom!

Our youngest scholars are learning and mastering the routines that make this kind of learning possible. While Ms. Nolen works directly with a small group, other students are reading, writing, working with technology and practicing skills independently and with their peers.

Independence. Focus. Collaboration. Targeted support.

These routines don’t happen overnight. They are explicitly taught, practiced and reinforced until our Kinders know what to do and can take greater ownership of their learning.

And look at them now. 💚

When students master these routines, teachers have more opportunities to work with children in smaller groups, providing the support, challenge and instruction each learner needs.

That’s the goal: better meeting the needs and potential of every child. 💚

05/10/2026

¡Pájaro! ¡Gallo! ¡Pollo! 🐦🐓🐥💚

Our Kinders are building their Spanish vocabulary with Señor Aceves, and of course, the gestures make it even more fun. 😂

Learning a new language starts early at ITAV, one word, one sound and one very enthusiastic motion at a time. 💚

05/10/2026

04/10/2026

💚 Sometimes the students who challenge us the most are also showing us just how much they trust us.

Mr. Knox reminded our team that when a student becomes emotional, acts out or responds negatively, our first instinct can be to take it personally.

But sometimes that child is trusting us with something much bigger: their vulnerability.

They believe the adults in the room are safe enough to receive their frustration, fear, anger or hurt.

So the question becomes not “Why are they doing this to me?” but “What am I going to do with what this child is showing me?”

Strong classroom management isn’t only about routines, procedures and expectations. It’s also about relationships, trust and how we respond when our students need us most. 💚

Don’t take it personally. Get curious about what the behavior is communicating.