Recommendations

Dallas Wolf

Our son started kindergarten, in person, during the COVID pandemic. This means that he is wearing a mask all day, unable to play on the playgrounds, and does not get the social interaction from peers or his teacher that most kinder babies are used to. Because of COVID restrictions and the fact that he is a constantly moving and competitive young man he suffered academically. Within 2 months of school starting his teacher was preparing us to retain him once the year was over.

We worked diligently with him at home but I knew it wasn't cutting it. He was emotionally and mentally drained and uninterested in school and I was in tears almost nightly because I wasn't sure if all my time with him was making a difference. When we saw a friend raving about Ms. Ann online I gave her a call in hopes it would be the change we needed. Boy was I right! Within minutes of speaking with Ann I knew she had our son's best interests at heart; she hadn't even met him yet and you could tell she believed in him and knew he could flourish. After meeting with her we knew she was the help we needed. She had our son "fun learning" as he calls it in no time. He is thrilled to visit her weekly and is interested in learning and proud of the progress he has made. She listened to Bowen every step of the way and took the time to figure out how he best enjoyed reading, math, and learning in general. She adapted her lessons to fit him and it has made all the difference!

Ann’s classroom was warm and inviting. She had special centers for the kids that were geared towards their individual interests. For example, my daughter was fascinated with mirrors and Ann had a special area of the room set up with a mirror just for her. She teaches children to choose kindness and really helped bridge the gap between special needs students and regular education students.

Ann is patient, encouraging, loving, and extremely knowledgeable about all things education. She has taught us valuable information in the fight for our son's education and has guided us at every step on how to work with his teacher and the district to ensure he is being given the best shot at advancing. The way she works with our son and genuinely cares for him reminds me each time we see her that we are in the right place!

We will forever cherish Ann and the guidance she has given us during this difficult time in our son's education journey. She meets him where he is and pushes him to excel even when he doesn't want to. She has a genuine love for her students that is unparalleled!

In case I didn't do a great job saying it...THANK YOU! We appreciate you to no end!

Tiffany Wehe

Working with Ann Kippes was a great pleasure! Mrs. Kippes not only provided tutoring for my middle school daughter, but also helped work with me throughout the ARD process. As a former NBISD teacher of the year, Mrs. Kippes has a wealth of information in all core subjects. She was attentive to my child's needs, provided support where necessary and encouraged individual growth. Additionally, Mrs. Kippes not only listened to my concerns regarding academic growth but she also listened to my daughter's needs to ensure academic growth.

As we prepared for our ARD meeting, Mrs. Kippes helped support my family throughout the process. Mrs. Kippes knows not only special education law, but is familiar with services provided within school districts. Mrs. Kippes mentored us on what documentation we should not only be collecting but asking for from the district. Mrs. Kippes fought for what was best for our child - based on her individual needs.

Choosing to work with Ann Kippes is choosing the very best support for your child/children.

Cassie Thomas

I had the privilege to work alongside Ann for a short time and her reputation definitely preceded her. I had heard how fantastic she was at her job as a special education educator, but more importantly as an educator.

I knew as soon as she had listed she was doing individual tutoring I had to see about getting my son with her. My son's birthday fell after the September 1st start date, so he was unable to start kindergarten or pre-kindergarten this year. He was so ready to learn, but was somewhere where that was not happening. I got him in with Mrs. Kippes, and after one day my son was loving learning. Mrs. Kippes sends us pictures and videos of the activities she has him doing and after the first week I was seeing so much progress in my son. I couldn't believe how much he had grown in such a short time and only going 2 hours a week. He's definitely ready for kindergarten, if not ahead of many who will start with him next year.

If you are on the fence about getting extra support for your child, don't second guess - Ann Kippes is definitely the best support for your child and you as a parent.

Grandmother: Sandy “Ninny” Miller

I am so glad that my daughter knew Ann Kippes and my grandson gets to learn from her.

Due to COVID, we had made the decision not to send him to public Pre-K, and we were not happy with where he was going.

Gunner and I went to Mrs. Kippes and the environment was so perfect with toys and all kinds of learning tools. He loves going and hates to leave. He learns through play and a lot of hands on and, of course, hard work. Letters and sounds, numbers, sight words and reading. He's amazed at things she has in her house and she talks to him about them. She sends pictures and videos of what they are working on. He even gets to make a mess while learning with shaving cream or chalk or water. He gets to physically move around. He was so taken with the toys she had at first, but then was just ready for work. She allows him to be himself and it has become HIS thing. Just his. Not sister’s or mom or dad’s or Ninny’s. His. Sometimes he gets extra time which he loves. Some days he just didn’t want to leave.

Ann Kippes gives him an education tailored for him to learn and can also press him to do things he’s not crazy about - writing. I’m so grateful for what she does to teach him the things he needs.

District 25

TX State Senator Donna Campbell, MD

Congratulations on representing the best of your profession as the County Line Elementary Teacher of the Year. I join your students, peers and members of the community in honoring this significant accomplishment. Thank you for your tireless dedication to ensure every child receives a great education.

Each student with whom you interact is forever impacted by your patience, encouragement, and optimism. As you shape the hearts and minds of our children, you are shaping the future of our community.

No award or recognition could ever provide adequate gratitude for your life-changing service, but please accept this letter as a symbol of our recognition for your work. The future of our state is in great hands because of teachers like you.

Print/View Senator Campbell Letter (PDF)

Lt. Colonel Kady Griffen, USAF

I have had the opportunity to know Ann for almost 2 years while she was my daughter’s special education teacher. During this time period, Ann was able to bring about a serious turnaround for my daughter Meghan. My daughter is 6 years old and suffers from a rare genetic disease that has resulted in 31 surgeries to date. She came to Ann severely delayed and in need of someone to truly motivate her academically. Research suggests that each surgery at such a young age will place a child behind approximately one month developmentally placing Meghan almost three years behind her age appropriate peers when she started Kindergarten.

Ann was able to keep Meghan motivated by adapting her method of instruction to meet her specific needs. Ann understands that children rise to the level of expectation that you set for them while being mindful of each child's individual abilities, setting realistic attainable goals, and meeting each child on their level of ability.

Ann’s classroom was warm and inviting. She had special centers for the kids that were geared towards their individual interests. For example, my daughter was fascinated with mirrors and Ann had a special area of the room set up with a mirror just for her. She teaches children to choose kindness and really helped bridge the gap between special needs students and regular education students.

Ann worked consistently with Meghan’s regular teacher to ensure her needs were met and that the transitions between special education services and the regular education classroom were seamless. She also made a special card for Meghan to wear on her clothes to communicate with staff members when she needed assistance with toileting. She was a champion for her students and advocated for the school to provide any and all adaptations necessary to foster independence for students with special needs.

Her interpersonal communication skills are outstanding. Her ability to communicate with parents, students and staff will translate into being a successful advocate. Ann is a very dynamic person and all students will thrive under her instructional methods. I highly recommend Ann Kippes. She has a passion for education and her students that is unmatched.