Kimani Davis began his career working with young people as a co-leader of the Big Brother/Sister program at Bard College in partnership with Astor Children’s Services. Upon graduating in 1999, Kimani continued his work with Astor as a Child Care worker and Supervisor eventually moving back to New York City to work at Astor’s Day Treatment center as a Behavior Specialist in the Bronx. While working for Astor Kimani became a certified Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) trainer, which helped him to develop crucial skills in preventing, de-escalating and managing crises with students and families. His time with Astor Children’s services solidified his passion for working with students and families to build strong and supportive communities.
At Bard Kimani earned a BA in American Studies with an emphasis in African American Urban History. He was a member of the Varsity Basketball Team, recipient of the Shelley Morgan Community Leadership award and a founding member of the Bard College Rugby Team. Through Rugby Kimani further developed his love of sport as a way to stay healthy, build relationships and create community. His rugby career has offered him the opportunity to live abroad and visit parts of the globe he never thought he would! His love of rugby is still strong as he is currently a member of the Village Lions Rugby Club.
Kimani spent the last 7 years at Opportunity Charter School, where he began as a Behavior Specialist, and in 2015 took on the role of Middle School Dean of Students. Four years ago he learned of Restorative Justice. A practice focused on creating a safe, respectful space to promote dialogue, and build a strong sense of community. The Restorative Justice philosophy confirmed his belief that students have a stake in their learning and that everyone is accountable for student development. He honed his skills in the implementation of Restorative Justice through trainings facilitated by the Morningside Center. He has used these practices to resolve conflict and form community across the school. As a Middle School and Varsity Basketball Coach he has introduced Restorative Circles to build unity and teamwork, every year as a coach taking his basketball teams to the regional final four.
Kimani hopes to bring that teamwork mentality to S2 and is an advocate of fitness and wellness, believing that mind and body must work in conjunction for success both in and out of the classroom. He looks forward to working with teachers and students to inspire the S2 community to be their best selves. He wants the students of S2 to know anything is possible.