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At KIPP Texas Public Schools, every student deserves the tools and support needed to build the life they choose. This Veterans Day, we proudly honor the service members on our team whose leadership, discipline, and dedication make a lasting impact across our schools. Enjoy this spotlight on our district office Information Technology (IT) Department.
Veterans are all around us, serving as teachers, leaders, and quiet heroes who help keep things running smoothly. The same precision and purpose they developed in the military now strengthens the backbone of our IT operations, ensuring that classrooms stay connected, systems remain secure, and our educators have the technology they need to teach effectively. Their work doesn’t just solve problems; it keeps learning moving forward.
The Power of Purpose: Veteran Journeys to Educational Leadership
We invited three of our veteran IT leaders to share how their military experience shaped their approach to education and how they embody the KIPP Texas values every day. Their reflections offer lessons in leadership, perseverance, and service.
Ronald Pruitt, Senior Director of IT Support Services (SSP), served three years in the U.S. Army before pursuing higher education. His story reminds students that sometimes the most strategic path to success requires courage, patience, and vision.
Q: How did your time in the Army shape the way you value education?
“Early on, my focus wasn’t fully on academics,” Ron said. “To fund my degree and gain valuable experience, I made the deliberate choice to enlist in the Army and use the G.I. Bill benefits. The military taught me that discipline and clear objectives are essential for success. I tell our KIPPsters the same; education is the training they need to pursue any path they choose.”
Ron’s journey reflects what it means to chase excellence, set ambitious goals, take ownership of your growth, and follow through with purpose.
Keianna Adams, Senior Manager of IT Support Services (Austin-Dallas-San Antonio), served 24 years in the U.S. Air Force. Her service became the foundation for a lifetime of education and growth, showing what it looks like to keep learning and leading with love.
“Q: Can you share how the values and discipline you developed in the Air Force directly translate to succeeding in a career at KIPP?
“After high school, I went to college for a year and realized I wasn’t ready,” Keianna said. “The Air Force gave me direction and purpose. It allowed me to learn a skill and career while figuring out who I wanted to be. Over the years, I have earned three associate degrees, a bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, and a master’s degree in Information Systems. My military career was the catalyst that helped me achieve goals I once thought were out of reach. I remind our students that their educational journeys may not be linear, but dedication will always lead to success.”
Now, Keianna uses that same mindset to guide and mentor others. Her story reminds us that leadership is about understanding that determination and grace can yield great results.
Oscar Erazo, regional IT support, served eight years in the Army, where he learned the importance of empathy, teamwork, and personal growth. Today, those same principles guide how he serves students and staff across KIPP Texas.
Q: How do you translate your military background into strategies that help students develop personal accountability and leadership?
“The military taught me to take care of and support others, no matter their background,” Oscar said. “It reinforced the importance of continual growth, keeping the mind, body, and spirit sharp so we can be a force for good. That mindset helps me encourage students to believe in themselves and take ownership of their journey. I tell them they have the power to lead their own lives and pursue their goals with compassion and purpose.”
Oscar, like his colleagues, takes a hands-on approach by providing resources that support events and offering simple clicks or switches to keep our systems and programs current and integrated
Thank You, Veterans
The veterans in our district IT Department and across KIPP Texas represent the best of us. Their dedication ensures that our technology runs smoothly, our teachers are supported, and our students have the tools they need to succeed. This Veterans Day and every day, we thank them for living out the KIPP Texas values to Persist with Purpose and Chase Excellence, both in and out of uniform.
