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by Connie Warren on Mar 21, 2025 9:31:04 AM
A Journey Rooted in Resilience
Raised by three strong women—his mother, grandmother, and aunt—Mr. K’s early years were marked by the challenges of growing up without a father figure. He excelled academically but struggled with emotional regulation, leading to moments of disruption in school. It wasn’t until he encountered mentors like his sixth-grade teacher, his ROTC instructor, and his youth choir director that he found the guidance and affirmation he had been seeking.
By the age of 16, he decided: “Now that my life is beginning to take a turn, I want to help young people the way that people helped me.”
The Accidental Educator
After earning a degree in youth ministry, Mr. K sought a full-time role working with young people. When his pastor informed him that the church couldn’t afford to pay him, he asked a simple but profound question: “Where do the kids have to be?” The answer was clear—school.
Starting as a substitute teacher in 2003, he quickly made an impression. “I wasn’t your typical sub,” he recalls. “I worked with the kids, taught them life lessons, kept them engaged.” His natural ability to connect with students caught the attention of teachers and administrators, leading to his first structured role in education through a successful intervention program at Cato Elementary. When his colleagues saw his potential, they pooled funds to help him take his first teaching certification exam. “Mr. K, you’re a natural,” they told him.
They were right.
Building a Culture of Connection
Mr. K’s career has spanned classroom teaching, instructional coaching, and school leadership roles. Now an instructional facilitator at Friendship-Aspire Academy, his mission remains the same: reach students where they are, and help them grow—not just academically, but as people.
"I can't get in your head if I don't have your heart"
Henry Kleckley
Friendship-Aspire Academy
“I can’t get to your head if I don’t have your heart,” he says. “We have to find a connection first.”
One of his core philosophies is that education is a human relations business. He believes that before children enter school, everything they learn comes from relationships. That relational approach continues into their school years. “We don’t throw that out just because desks and chairs are involved. Kids still need to feel seen, supported, and valued.”
Seeing BookNook in Action
As a lifelong learner, Mr. K is constantly seeking evidence-based practices to support his students. His initial conversations with BookNook intrigued him, but it wasn’t until he saw the program in action that he became a true believer.
“It sold it for me,” he says, recalling the moment he stepped into a classroom of 25 middle schoolers—all engaged, all interacting with their tutors. “These are kids who sometimes struggle with maturity and making good choices, but here they were, headphones on, fully engaged in learning. And the tutors weren’t just teaching content—they were asking how the kids were doing, connecting with them as people.”
Even after the BookNook team left, Mr. K sat with a student who was struggling with the program. He watched as the tutor patiently worked through the frustration, offering support and encouragement. “This isn’t just some job for them,” he says. “They genuinely care.”
A Future-Focused Approach to Education
For Mr. K, education is about the long game. It’s about shaping the lives of young people so they’re equipped not just to pass a test, but to navigate life. “This is the COVID generation. We’re changing a generation of young people, and that is powerful and noble work.”
His impact is already evident. Former students still reach out, remembering the teacher who believed in them. Some, like his own barber, now serve their communities in ways Mr. K never imagined when they sat in his classroom years ago.
“Education is about more than numbers—it’s about people,” he says. “Are we giving students what they need to be successful beyond the classroom? Are we equipping them for life?”
At Friendship-Aspire Academy, with instructional leaders like Mr. K, the answer is a resounding yes.
Friendship-Aspire Academy + BookNook Site Visits
Friendship-Aspire Academy is a charter management organization dedicated to providing high-quality education and fostering student success. With campuses in Arkansas, including Pine Bluff, North Little Rock, and Marvel, as well as in Prince George’s County, Maryland, Friendship-Aspire is committed to delivering innovative and impactful learning experiences to students from diverse backgrounds.
In January, three members of the BookNook team visited multiple Friendship-Aspire campuses to observe and engage with educators and students. These site visits provided valuable insights into the implementation of BookNook’s high-impact tutoring services, allowing the team to witness firsthand the positive engagement and academic progress of students. The visits also facilitated meaningful discussions with school leaders, instructional staff, and students, strengthening the partnership between Friendship-Aspire and BookNook to further enhance reading and math outcomes.
The collaboration continues to evolve, with both organizations working together to refine intervention strategies and ensure that every student receives the personalized support they need to thrive.