Redwood Elementary School West in West Orange Named a National Blue Ribbon School

Redwood Elementary School West in West Orange, New Jersey was recently named a National Blue Ribbon School. The principal of the school, Kimya Jackson, is a current Teacher Education and Teacher Development doctoral student.

The guiding light at Redwood is Dr. King’s famous maxim that the true goal of education is to build students’ “intelligence and character.” They firmly believe that both intelligence and character are not fixed commodities, but rather that both can be developed.

Redwood cares about their community by celebrating and appreciating the many forms of diversity displayed in the school. Beyond themed months, teachers weave in culturally responsive practices within all subject areas. The school Diversity Equity and Access committee hosts summer book clubs for staff to engage in discussion and actions for a more socially just school environment.

Additionally, Kimya Jackson was the 2019 Educator of the Year in West Orange.