John Rajeski
From Hollywood to Harlem, John's personal and professional journey has been much like the television shows he once wrote -- full of interesting twists, turns, and plot developments. After graduating from Syracuse University with a degree in writing from the Newhouse School of Communications, John spent twelve years in the television industry. After working on the daytime drama "Guiding Light", John headed west and began a career as a sitcom writer. His first break came when as a production assistant on "Dear John" he pitched several story ideas to the show's producers. They liked his story ideas, and commissioned him to write three episodes that were later produced. In 1993, John joined the staff of the Emmy award winning show, "Frasier", where he remained for four and half seasons. Upon leaving "Frasier", John spent two years at 20th Century Fox working in development, eventually leaving it all behind in 1999 with the desire "to be of service" to the community. Unsure of how this desire to give back would manifest itself, he moved to New York City and found his answer when he learned of the Teach for America program. Its mission immediately resonated with him. He applied and a year later was teaching 4th grade at PS 153 in Washington Heights. After two successful years there, he accepted a position at KIPP STAR College Prep Charter School in Harlem as their 5th grade founding writing teacher. In 2005, John received the Kinder Excellence in Teaching Award. In 2006, John joined several other KIPP teachers and school leaders to launch the KIPP World Class Writing Project, a study of the most effective strategies used in classrooms across America to create strong student writers. In 2007 he attended KIPP Pathways Leadership Institute in preparation for his role as co-principal of KIPP STAR. In January 2009, John moved to Atlanta, and is extremely excited about the opportunity to join the founding staff, students, and families of KIPP STRIVE.