To say that King-Chavez Primary Academy has been an important part of Leanne Richardson’s life would be an understatement. The first grade teacher considers it more than a school—it’s been like a family for the past 12 years.
At 21, in 2007, Richardson started her teaching career with King-Chavez. That was the same year she got engaged to her husband, who at the time was a substitute teacher for her classroom and had formed a strong bond with her students. A few years later, the couple set down roots and bought a home a few steps from the school in the Logan Heights neighborhood. Some friends raised eyebrows about their “urban pioneer” experiment.
But this school year, more than most, will mark a milestone for Richardson: This spring, she’ll watch her very first cohort of students–many of whom attended her wedding as tiny first-graders—graduate as seniors from the King-Chavez community high school. “Beginning with that first class of kids through today, I’ve probably taught 50 different siblings. When you make a connection with a parent, that parent connects into you like you are part of the family,” Richardson said.
“As a teacher, I’ve received many Starbucks cards, candy, pens and mugs, but the most important things I’ve ever received are the invitations to the baptisms and Catechisms, and to the weddings, birthdays and Quinceañeras—those are my most important gifts.”
Richardson said she is drawn to the school’s mission statement: “We seek excellence in Academics, Arts, and Athletics from the foundation of love.” She says she is incredibly fulfilled and lucky to work in a place where teachers and staff give everything they have to ensure their students get the same, or a higher-quality education, than their peers in other parts of San Diego County.
Many of her students come from homes and backgrounds with significant challenges. Living in the neighborhood has helped provide stability, she said. For example, she’s had former students knock on her door at night because they needed help with homework and they didn’t have a grown-up who could help. She’s had parent-teacher conferences at her kitchen table.
She and her husband, also a teacher at the school, even opened their home to two of her students and their two siblings for an entire summer because they had been separated from their parents by authorities.
“This is a place where we have found stability and support—and, above everything, we found relationships,” Richardson said. “At King-Chavez, we seek excellence from the foundation of love. Everything we do here starts with love first. Things that are built on love are stronger.” At King-Chavez, Richardson explains, children get more than an excellent education. They get a bond for life. Just like family.
Come join our family and meet some of our amazing staff at our upcoming Toys for Hope event this Saturday December 15th, 10AM-2PM. KCNS and Hope Leadership Academy are celebrating the communities of Barrio Logan with a day of holiday fun on Saturday, December 15TH! Come and enjoy free food for the entire family, a fun zone for the kids, pictures with Santa, haircuts, root beer floats, and more. Plus, all children 12 and under receive a free toy! We are located at 415 31st Street, San Diego, CA 92102. We look forward to seeing you there. 
