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It Takes A Village Family of Schools

@itavschools

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Nurturing, joyful, equity-driven early learning.
Rooted in community, culture and care.
0–5📍Austin • Humboldt Park • South Loop
#TheITAVWay

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85% pass rate.

One of the highest Professional Educator License test preparation pass rates in the state of Illinois for early childhood education.

60 Black and Brown educators earned their Professional Educator License through It Takes A Village’s Teacher Training and Test Preparation Program.

We are incredibly proud of the educators who committed to the process, did the hard work, and earned their licensure. Their discipline and persistence made this achievement possible.

At a time when teacher shortages persist across the country, we are building a high performing, community rooted pathway into the profession.

This work is led by Makeya Kelly and supported by the McCormick Foundation.

Workforce development is community development. by @itavschools

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7 months ago

Ms. Jessica and Ms. Rosa bring Michael Heggerty's phonemic awareness activities to preschool circle time 🗣️

This practice is strongly aligned with research and gives young leaders a fun and engaging way to strengthen their language skills! by @itavschools

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8 months ago

Little learners, big discoveries ✨

Our preschool classrooms are full of moments that build confidence, curiosity, and a love of learning.

This week, our scholars practiced recognizing letters, working together, and learning from one another through hands-on exploration.

Every question asked, every connection made, and every new skill developed is a step toward becoming confident lifelong learners.

We love watching our youngest Villagers grow, discover, and find their voices every day. 💚

#Chicago #Education #EarlyLearning #FutureLeaders #TheITAVWay by @itavschools

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a month ago

🚦 Big Lessons for Little Learners! 💚💛

Inside Mr. Nikita’s preschool classroom, learning is intentional, engaging, and connected to the world around us!

During circle time, our young scholars explored pedestrian safety, learning about traffic signs, road safety, and the importance of staying alert in their communities.

Meanwhile, individualized ESI-R developmental screenings help our educators better understand each child’s strengths and identify opportunities for additional support as they grow.

From one-on-one assessments to interactive group learning, every experience helps build the foundation for future success.

At ITAV, kindergarten readiness starts long before kindergarten! 💚

#Preschool #EarlyChildhoodEducation #KindergartenReadiness #LearningThroughPlay #TheITAVWay by @itavschools

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4 days ago

Today, our Village honors Indigenous Peoples’ Day! 💚

Through learning, reflection, and student-led presentations, our scholars are deepening their understanding of Indigenous histories, cultures, resilience, and contributions.

We celebrate the voices, traditions, and living legacies of Indigenous peoples today and every day.

#IndigenousPeoplesDay #CulturallyResponsiveEducation #TheITAVWay by @itavschools

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4 days ago

💧 Who gets access to clean drinking water, and what happens when that access is compromised?

In Ms. Porter’s fifth grade Grassroots Campaigns class, our scholars are examining real-world issues that have shaped communities and sparked calls for change.

Last week, they studied the Flint, Michigan water crisis, exploring how lead-contaminated drinking water affected residents, the public health consequences, and questions of race, equity, and government accountability.

As scholars shared what they learned, one raised the question of racism and another explained why studying Flint matters: so their generation can help prevent similar crises and understand how to respond if they occur.

This research may also help shape the grassroots campaign our fifth graders develop this school year.

At ITAV Leadership Academy, we believe young people should have the knowledge, critical-thinking skills, and confidence to understand the world around them and participate in making it better.

💚 Because learning about a problem is often the first step toward becoming part of the solution.

#EnvironmentalJustice #CivicEducation #CriticalThinking #ProjectBasedLearning #TheITAVWay taken in Bronzeville, Chicago, Illinois by @itavschools

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5 days ago

When the boys on our football team BEG their moms to let them ride the train with Coach Dominic on a Saturday! 😂💚🏈

That’s how you know the relationships are real!

We love these boys, and we love the Village that surrounds them.

Thank you, Coach Dominic, for being the kind of coach our scholars want to spend their Saturdays with!

#Chicago #YouthSports #FlagFootball #Mentorship #TheITAVWay by @itavschools

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6 days ago

🎃Roots & Boots is back! Join ITAV for our FREE Family Pumpkin Patch Day on Saturday, October 24 at ITAVLA in Bronzeville!

Celebrate the season with pony rides, a petting zoo, train rides, inflatables, food, treats & more!

🔗 Register your family today: bit.ly/RootsBoots2026 taken in Bronzeville, Chicago by @itavschools

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7 days ago

“Are you ready?”

“WE ARE ALWAYS READY!” 💚

There’s something special about hearing our scholars begin the day together, affirming how we will think, work, treat one another, and move through the world.

This is how we set the tone at ITAV Leadership Academy.

“Then let us begin.” 💚 taken in Bronzeville, Chicago, Illinois by @itavschools

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7 days ago

Congratulations Quaneisha!

Quaneisha Jones, teacher at Nia Family Center, is now a part of the 80+ Early Childhood Educators throughout Chicago to have received their PEL License after taking our PEL Test Prep course.

Learn More: bit.ly/4fYUAPN by @itavschools

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7 days ago

¡Pájaro! ¡Gallo! ¡Pollo! 🐦🐓🐥💚

Our Kinders are building their Spanish vocabulary with Señor Aceves, and of course, the gestures make it even more fun. 😂

Learning a new language starts early at ITAV, one word, one sound and one very enthusiastic motion at a time. 💚

#Kindergarten #SpanishClass #LearningInAction #Vocabulary #TheITAVWay by @itavschools

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11 days ago

📚 What does it look like to teach students to think deeply about what they read?

In Ms. London’s third grade classroom, getting the answer is only the beginning.

When students identified what unsuspecting meant, Ms. London pushed their thinking one step further:

How do you know she was unsuspecting?

Students had to go back to what they read, think about the character and explain the evidence behind their answer. Through turn and talks, they also had opportunities to test their thinking, listen to a classmate and strengthen their response.

That’s the work. Building readers who don’t just understand what they’re reading, but can think, talk and explain their thinking. 💚📚

#ThirdGrade #Literacy #Comprehension #Vocabulary #TheITAVWay taken in Bronzeville, Chicago, Illinois by @itavschools

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12 days ago