Resource Team

Jackie Gang, Director of Student Resources
Jackie Gang is thrilled to become a part of the KIPP Renaissance team as the Special Education teacher. She graduated cum laude from New York University with a degree in Media and Social Change, where she studied global media culture for a semester in Prague, and worked in an arts-based exchange with immigrant youth at Brooklyn International High School. After moving to Washington, DC for a year to work as a social and corporate events planner, she finally found her way to New Orleans and joined the teachNOLA Fellows program. Most recently, she served as the chair of Special Education at Greater Gentilly High School, a New Technology school. Ms. Gang has always been drawn to helping in her own community, and currently volunteers with Evacuteer, ushers at Mahalia Jackson Theater, and acts as Communication Chair for the One Book One New Orleans project of the Young Leadership Council. She is so grateful to call New Orleans her home.

Tamara Durant, Resource Teacher
Ms. Durant joins the KIPP Renaissance team as a special education teacher. As a journalism/public relations major at Howard University, Ms. Durant worked on an annual event for the early-literacy program Jumpstart which encouraged college students to volunteer with local preschools. Ms. Durant became interested in teaching while she worked as a reading tutor at Bruce-Monroe Elementary School in Washington, D.C. After graduating from Howard, Ms. Durant was accepted into the New York City Teaching Fellows as a special education teacher with a concentration in English. After completing her summer apprenticeship at George Westinghouse High School in Brooklyn, Ms. Durant was offered a position there. At Westinghouse, Ms. Durant taught Global Studies, Math, and Regents Exam Prep before settling down in the English department. She was actively involved in her school, including leading a writing workshop for other English teachers. One of her more exciting contributions was serving as the co-moderator of the TTG Video Game Blogging Club, which worked in conjunction with local video game designers. Ms. Durant also had many successes in the classroom. One of the biggest achievements was having the highest New York State Regents Exam passing rate out of all of the special education teachers at Westinghouse. Ms. Durant loves reading and writing, and enjoys sharing that passion with her students. In her three years at Westinghouse, Ms. Durant was well-known for her good rapport with the students. She looks forward to forming relationships with the students at KIPP Renaissance as she helps them prepare for life in college and beyond.

Joseph Jones, Resource Teacher
Born and raised in New Orleans, LA, Mr. Joseph Jones Jr. is excited to join the KIPP Renaissance High School Team. As a Horatio Alger Scholar, Mr. Jones received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Xavier University of Louisiana. At Xavier, Joseph volunteered with various tutoring programs throughout the New Orleans community. After graduating, he became a union organizer for Service Employees International Union, where he assisted in mobilizing support workers throughout the United States of America. Having decided to dedicate his life to educating and helping the youth of New Orleans, he founded the Non-Profit, Urban Politiks. Mr. Jones was first introduced to the KIPP Renaissance family through Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. High School mentorship program. It was this mentorship program that fueled his desire to teach and become a member of the KIPP Renaissance family. Mr. Jones is more than excited to teach at KIPP Renaissance High School and looks forward to inspiring and teaching students for years to come.

Cate McMillan, Resource Teacher
Ms. McMillan is a recent graduate of Appalachian State University. She has always loved special education and followed that passion through college. Ms. McMillan was on a committee to develop a post-secondary education college program for students with disabilities at her college that will begin in the fall of 2011. She has taught special education classes from kindergarten to seniors in high school in topics as diverse as life skills and pre-algebra during student teaching. Ms. McMillan is excited to start her teaching career at a school as innovating and dedicated as KIPP Renaissance.