The KIND Institute

I received The Lindback Award for exceptional teachers because I have wonderful students who work hard in my class and an amazing principal, Ms. Ramseyl!

MorePJJSCS Student work...

I have mixed feelings making this announcement, The KIND Institute has closed, at least for now. It has taken me some time to figure out how I should explain this. As you can see I am very wordy. This could be much longer, lol. There are a few reasons why KIND has to close. First, I started KIND when I was very unhappy at a failing school. I left that school two years ago and since then have been teaching at the best school I have ever taught at in my 26 years of teaching. I ...am at The Phila. Juvenile Justice Service Center School. Most people could not imagine why I would consider teaching at a detention center to be my favorite school. At PJJSCS I am surrounded by people who truly love and care for our students. Our principal is amazing! She works tirelessly to make sure that our students receive an education that surpasses most schools in Philadelphia. Ms. Ramsey, my principal is brilliant and compassionate. Because of Ms. Ramsey and my coworkers I am able to truly make a difference in my students lives. I feel that my time is much better spent working with incarcerated youth because they need me the most. They call me Panda and chant Panda, Panda, Panda when they enter my class room. When I'm not in school they get very upset. They are not what many people think they are. They are compassionate, intelligent and so much fun to be around. They are good kids who for the most part have been dealt the worst hand from birth. I love them dearly and love spending time working with them on human rights and animal rights issues through art. My class is a place where they can be themselves and express their compassionate side that they must hide in their every day lives. They can be vulnerable because they are safe. Being at PJJSCS is my calling. I had previously thought I'd retire early but I am now going to teach for ten more years, maybe more because I can't imagine leaving my babies. I tried to do both, PJJSCS and KIND but couldn't do it. I had two injuries this year that took me weeks to recover from, sciatica (ouch!) and a concussion. Neither accord at school. I say this because people who don't know any better imagine my school would be a dangerous place. It is totally the opposite. I was trying to be in two places at one time and after the injures decided that I had to cut something out. KIND had to go. Who knows what the future holds for me. KIND may someday open up again. For now, here is some amazing work that my students at PJJSCS have done. Oh, and my principal and I were both recipients of The Lindback award this year. It was too cool to share that with a woman that I truly admire. Maria Pandolfi See more

It’s going down again tonight !! Painting with a Twist is putting some Spice in ya Sex Life Pt.2 Art and Action!!! Erotic and Artistic Adult Fun!!! Hosted by: Nish, @bove & Beyond Cre@tions and DreamzPlayHouse TONIGHTTTTTT BYOB ART, GAMES, & FUN!!!! GET YOUR TICKETS ONLINE OR AT THE DOOR!!!! DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE FOR GROUPS OR COUPLES... https://kind-institute.ticketleap.com/art-and-action/ #DREAMZPLAYHOUSE #PAINTWITHATWIST See more

Good morning, lovely people God has been blessing me tremendously lately and I thank Him everyday for it! THE GRAND RE-OPENING OF KIND INSTITUTE WAS A HUGE SU...CCESS Sincere thanks to everyone who came out to celebrate with us, we had a ball! Special Thanks to @James TheManager Washington for taking time out of his packed schedule to come and host our celebration! His humor and great personality made the night! I appreciate you more then you know! @Ray_Bands for being an outstanding co-host and blessing us with some of his own art! Thompson Giovonni for coming by to support us! That meant so much to me!!!! Lastly, I have to thank all of my family and friends who came out!!! The art work displayed and the entertainment for the night was amazing! We literally were like a big family gathered together to celebrate, exactly the vision Love you all Time to put KIND on the maps See more

Stay safe out there! Philly is experiencing freezing rain creating slippery conditions. Plan extra time for travel. We will see you all soon!

KIND INSTITUTE A Gallery for the Arts!!!! Painting with Punch Paint Parties Art classes ... Photo shoots (Parties) Private photo shoots Dance Class Model/Etiquette Classes is that Pop plppppop Open Mic Nights Community events Rental Space and More See more

Our grand opening was amazing!!!