A DREAM YEARS IN THE MAKING

From teaching my younger sister with sheet protectors and overheads as a child to earning my Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction, education has been my calling from the very beginning.

After more than a decade as a classroom teacher, I moved into student support and social and emotional learning. My doctoral research examined the impact of social and emotional learning on discipline rates among Black middle school girls, but the questions behind that research were deeply personal.

As a girl, I moved often and struggled at times to navigate friendships, relationships, and conflict. As an educator, I began to recognize how easily girls can struggle quietly. Too often, we assume they are alright until their pain becomes loud enough that we can no longer overlook it.

I believe girls shouldn't have to struggle loudly before someone notices them.

Dream Academy for Girls grew from that belief. I envision a school where girls are deeply known, where belonging creates space for joy, and where caring adults intentionally cultivate the brilliance already within them.

This dream is personal. Lafayette is one of the places I call home. My nieces are growing up here, and I believe families in this community deserve more educational choices—and our girls deserve a school designed with them in mind.

This is my calling, and I'm honored to build the Dream Team that will bring it to life.

Kristi Morale, Ed.D.
Founder & Executive Director ♡

Our Founder’s Story