Meet the Three Houston School Leaders Who Just Earned the KIPP 6 Award

Every October during National Principals Month, communities pause to celebrate the educators leading our schools. At KIPP Texas Public Schools, six years of school leadership in our charter school network represents something rare: a deep-rooted commitment to scholars, staff, and neighborhood history.

This year, three Houston School Leaders—Mrs. Antara Morris, Mr. William Davis, and Mr. LaDarrion Jackson—reached that six-year milestone. 

To honor their dedication, the KIPP Foundation awarded each of them the prestigious KIPP 6 Award. Created to recognize School Leaders who devote six years of transformational leadership, the honor includes a $10,000 personal award alongside a campus celebration kit so scholars and staff can celebrate together.

Here is a look at what drives these three leaders every single day!

Ms. Antara Morris: Building a Ripple Effect of Leadership at KIPP SHINE Prep

At KIPP SHINE Prep, School Leader Antara Morris measures success by the strength and capacity of the people around her. Over her six years leading the campus, her focus has remained on sustainable growth and on coaching teachers and staff so that high expectations and joyful learning become part of the school’s DNA.

She focuses on empowering staff to step into their own leadership, expanding the school’s impact directly into student homes and the broader community.

“If I invest deeply in one leader, that leader impacts teachers, those teachers impact children, and those children impact families and communities,” Ms. Morris shares. “That is legacy work, and it is one of the greatest privileges of being a principal.”

By investing in her staff and creating an environment where educators feel trusted to innovate, Morris has built a campus culture where Little KIPPsters thrive academically and socially every day.

Mr. William Davis: Shifting from Technical Mechanics to Relational Leadership at KIPP Spirit College Prep

Completing six years at KIPP Spirit College Prep—part of a career spanning more than two decades in education—Mr. Davis reflects on a profound shift in his approach to the work. Early in his career, urgency dictated his schedule as he managed every system and tried to personally hold the building up. Two decades of experience taught him that real operational excellence requires moving away from directive management toward genuine empowerment.

“In my first years, my focus was largely transactional—ensuring systems ran smoothly and benchmarks were met,” Mr. Davis reflects. “Today, my primary investment is relational and strategic. I lead by building systems of support, mentorship, and psychological safety that allow teachers and staff to thrive, innovate, and step into their own leadership.”

By prioritizing psychological safety and high expectations, Mr. Davis has cultivated a school environment where Big KIPPsters feel confident taking risks and Little KIPPsters know the adults in their building believe in their future.

Mr. LaDarrion Jackson: Staying Rooted in the Heart of Third Ward at KIPP Liberation College Prep

When Mr. Jackson first arrived at KIPP Liberation, he chose to observe and gather data before making major decisions, honoring the neighborhood’s deep roots and history. That patience paid off: as official Texas Education Agency (TEA) accountability ratings reflected steady academic growth over the last two years, staff trust deepened, allowing Mr. Jackson and his team to rewrite the school’s mission and vision this past summer to align with the community’s future.

“My students, their families, and the history of the Third Ward community are what keep me coming back,” says Mr. Jackson. “Nothing gets me behind the wheel from Rosenberg every morning faster than knowing our kids and families rely on us.”

Grounded by his two children at home on taxing days, Mr. Jackson continues to lead with purpose, ensuring students of all backgrounds receive an education that honors their identity and prepares them to lead.

Six Years of Showing Up for Houston Kids

Ms. Antara Morris, Mr. William Davis, and Mr. LaDarrion Jackson show us what happens when school leaders stay, listen, and build alongside their communities year after year.

Please join the entire KIPP Texas Team & Family in congratulating these three outstanding leaders on earning the KIPP 6 Award and celebrating six incredible years of leadership!