Rodgers has served as principal at Olmsted Academy North since 2019
By Juliann Morris
January 23, 2023–Tonkeyta Rodgers knows first-hand the powerful momentum that builds when students and families embrace learning beyond the traditional school day.
As a young girl, she would ride the bus each afternoon to her community’s Boys and Girls Club, where Rodgers said she had to do her school work before jumping into extracurricular activities.
As the newly appointed principal of the Elev8 Student Learning Center in West Louisville, Rodgers said she is thrilled at the opportunity to lead an afterschool program featuring holistic support for students who struggle academically and their families.
“Louisville has a lot to offer, especially the West End community,” Rodgers said. “My goal is to make sure Elev8 is the bridge that connects all of it–the students, their families, and the community.”
Rodgers has been an educator in Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) for 13 years and currently serves as principal at Frederick Law Olmsted Academy North. She previously served as an assistant principal for four years at Ballard High School, where she was the Freshman Academy principal. She has also served as an Exceptional Child Education (ECE) teacher at both the Academy @ Shawnee and Westport Middle School.
Dr. Alicia Averette, assistant superintendent of academic support programs and special populations, said she is excited for Rodgers to join the Elev8 team.
“Her priorities of student academic achievement, student and family involvement, and student social emotional needs align with the Elev8 mission,” Averette said. “She has high expectations and believes in creating a strong culture and climate that provides students with a positive sense of belonging.”
Rodgers earned her bachelor's degree in English from the University of Louisville and her master's degree in special education from Bellarmine University.
The Elev8 Student Learning Center in West Louisville is the first of three centers the district plans to open. It serves up to 250 students in grades K-12 who live in West Louisville and need additional academic support.
Under her leadership at Elev8, Rodgers said every student will receive an educational plan tailored to the child’s and family’s specific needs. The plan will identify community resources to help address those needs.
Students will receive academic support–of course, she said. But the Elev8 educational plans will dig even deeper into child and family needs. For example, if a family struggles to get a student to school on time–or at all–Elev8 will work with families on addressing underlying barriers. If a parent needs help finding a job or working toward a GED, Elev8 will help connect that individual to community services.
“It’s a new day now, and kids have to know that it all goes together–school, families, community,” Rodgers said. “I’m going to be calling on the community, and I want the community ready to answer that call.”