Dr. Alexander is an inspiring individual whose dedication to young parents has touched countless lives. She lends not just her voice but her heart to the mission of helping teen moms. Her passion was made very clear when she spoke at our fundraising breakfast in 2023. We are so grateful that she was able to come share her story and experience with single moms in our community.

Dr. Alexander’s hard work, long hours,determination,empathy, and dedication to students clearly shines as observed in our ten year partnership.  She has produced ways that motivate the students to make attendance a priority, to want to come to school and to feel that they and their baby belong to a school that cares and understands. She works hard to help the students graduate, obtain scholarships, career paths and job opportunities. Their success is her success.

Partnerships are formed in many ways.  Create a way to help bring resources and community services to young people and their families, and Dr. DeLena Alexander is all in!  Since 2008, I have had the pleasure of working with and forming a lasting partnership with Dr. Alexander.  Our experiences have allowed our staff to work together to create community events that have brought resources to families in creative and lasting ways.  Dr. Alexander’s flexible leadership and direction extends to help seek programs and direct services for students and their families, such as SNAP, WIC and child care assistance, by using community partners’ one on one assistance in the process.  

Dr. Alexander is not a traditional thinker. A true value of her leadership is that she understands what it takes to get people moving and motivated.  She has proven her skills repeatedly by setting goals for staff, for community leaders and facilitating collaboration until the goals are achieved.  Through two area schools and numerous programs, projects, and conversations, I have truly come to respect and admire Dr.  Alexander for her constant concern and diligence in her strive to serve the community youth.  Her guidance to young people and to her staff have proven that investment in people is a journey that is never ending.

Dr. Alexander is like a godmother or (second mom) to me, she has always supported  and understood me as one of her TAPP students.  I had an unexpected situation occur, I found out I was pregnant with my second baby after having my first child as a middle schooler.  I didn't know what to do, I was stressed, worried, and scared. I almost made a horrible decision that I would regret for the rest of my life, of having an abortion or putting my baby up for adoption.  The resources and programs that  were provided at TAPP by Dr. Alexander allowed me to persevere, graduate High School a year early and attend college to pursue a nursing degree.  Dr. Alexander never stopped believing in me, she was the person who I could count on no matter what. She will always be one of the people who I will never forget. Dr. Alexander will always be part of my family.

Reflecting on my professional journey, I realize how pivotal Dr. Alexander was in shaping my development as a school-based administrator.   Her mentorship extended far beyond imparting administrative skills; she instilled in me a sense of resilience, strategic thinking, and unwavering commitment to student achievement.  Dr. Alexander challenged me to push beyond my comfort zone, encouraging a mindset of continuous learning and adaptability. Her feedback was always constructive, fostering an environment where mistakes were seen as opportunities for growth rather than failures. Her approach not only enhanced my problem-solving abilities but also boosted my confidence, enabling me to navigate complex projects and leadership roles with greater poise. The lessons learned under her guidance remain a cornerstone of my professional identity, profoundly influencing how I approach challenges and mentor others in turn.  Dr. Alexander’s influence is evident in the way I lead today, shaping the supportive and innovative environment I strive to create in my own school, always with a focus on enhancing student outcomes.

"I have had the privilege of working alongside Dr. DeLena Alexander, and her expertise in Project-Based Learning (PBL) and Deeper Learning is truly unparalleled. Her work goes far beyond transforming education for students—her reach extends to adult learners, teachers, and school leaders, whom she coaches with the same passion and dedication. Dr. Alexander's deep commitment to equity and access is reflected in her ability to uplift marginalized communities, ensuring that every learner, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to succeed.

Her experience is vast and deeply impactful, including her dedication to teenage parents, which demonstrates the depth of her passion for reaching all students, even those facing extraordinary challenges. Whether working with students, educators, or administrators, Dr. Alexander fosters environments where critical thinking, collaboration, and student-centered learning thrive. Her leadership and visionary approach make her a true expert in her field, whose influence has transformed not only classrooms but entire learning communities."

“Leadership is not about a title or a designation. It’s about impact, influence and inspiration.” Robin Sharma. Dr. Alexander is a phenomenal leader and always does  what is best for kids. I have had the pleasure of working with Dr. Alexander during my foundational years as a classroom teacher. Throughout those years she taught me the importance of maintaining and sustaining high expectations in and out of the classroom. Due to her diligence and dedication to student achievement it set the bar high for me and other educators to step out of our comfort zone and try new strategies and resources to support student learning. Because of Dr. Alexander’s authenticity, strength, compassion, and dedication to educational growth, she inspired me to pursue my doctoral degree in Educational Leadership. It has been an honor to watch Dr. Alexander grow holistically as a leader who truly wants what is best for all students.  

Dr. Alexander has been a staunch advocate and a pioneer for student-centered learning in Kentucky as one of the first Big Picture Learning schools in the state. Her passion for  personalized learning and educational equity, particularly for marginalized populations, has greatly enriched the trajectory of the young people she has served and the collective efforts on the national scale to transform schools. She has been a champion for educational models that recognize and support the individual needs of each student, ensuring that all students, including teenage mothers, have access to a tailored education that empowers them to succeed.

Dr. Alexander is an outstanding leader whose style is characterized by her ability to lead with love, to be a visionary, to inspire teams, cultivate partnerships, and navigate complex educational landscapes with grace and integrity.

My name is Lillie Mour and I am a student at TAPP.  The leadership and opportunities that Dr. Alexander has created at TAPP are excellent.  We have things like mommy and me, going to see jobs to explore careers that we might want to pursue and so much more. I have never been to another school that has been run as well as TAPP. The support that Dr. Alexander provides, shows that she wants us to do well after we leave high school and that she truly cares for her students.

I went to TAPP my junior and senior year of high school. I started in October of 2015 and graduated May of 2017.  Dr. Alexander and her staff at TAPP welcomed me with open arms.  I was instantly kicked out of my house and my home school when my pregnancy was revealed.  I was welcomed very quickly into TAPP. I have always said, without TAPP I would not have graduated high school. With a daycare being on sight, I was able to focus on my school work and succeed in my academics. The teachers were so helpful, every step of the way. Dr. Alexander and her staff  always pushed us to do our best. They also highly recommended college but gave us options outside of college of what we could do. I had such amazing help that I was able to get into University of Louisville with a full ride scholarship. The TAPP school was my saving grace when no one else had any faith in me. They did their best to try to give me the most normal high school experience I could’ve had. I owe all my education to TAPP.

As the leader of the TAPP School, Dr. Alexander was gracious to partner with Sister Song for its programming.  The Sister Song staff and the mentors in the program were able to build meaningful and lasting relationships with the students. The school became a safe space for the students of TAPP to build trust with their mentor and work on other projects such as relationship building skills.  Sister Song looks forward to working with the ladies of TAPP again.

Dr. Alexander pushed me daily to be the greatest that I could be even on days that I wanted to give up. It made me feel like I should have no excuses, and there are no limitations that can keep me from reaching my goals as a teen mom.

During my early years in the classroom, I was fortunate to have Dr. Alexander, who recognized my potential and believed in my ability to grow as an educator. She provided invaluable feedback and helped me refine my teaching strategies, classroom management techniques, and communication skills. As I transitioned into administrative roles, the lessons from Dr. Alexander became even more critical. Dr. Alexander taught me the importance of building relationships with staff, students, community, and pulling others along. Although Dr. Alexander is my mentor, she has also become my friend and confidant. Our relationship deepened my appreciation for the nuances of leadership. I recall late-night phone calls discussing our challenges, celebrating successes, and brainstorming innovative solutions to common problems. These conversations went beyond professional advice; they fostered genuine camaraderie and trust.

As a former employee of Dr. DeLena Alexander, I had the opportunity to learn and grow professionally. Under her tutelage, I was able to broaden my scope of practice, develop my managerial skills, and I learned to create school-wide implementation systems. Dr. Alexander’s leadership can be categorized as professional, data driven, and strategic. She held staff members, and herself, to high standards and expectations. Dr. Alexander’s equity-focused teaching philosophy was that, “All students can learn,” and she advocated for providing students with multiple opportunities to be successful.

During my time at TAPP I discovered what a truly supportive and loving community it is. Dr.  Alexander created a great balance at the school between providing us career exploration opportunities and moments for us to connect with our fellow teen moms. It is due to her guidance that the teachers and staff were able to help us moms achieve greatness, despite our situation. I will forever be thankful for what Dr. Alexander does for her TAPP girls and I admire the strong leader and role model she is.

Family Scholar House is dedicated to empowering individuals and families throughout the Commonwealth as they pursue post-secondary education, embark on careers, and achieve self-sufficiency. Our impactful partnerships are essential, and we are honored to collaborate with Dr. DeLena Alexander at T.A.P.P. Dr. Alexander is a passionate advocate for change, championing the needs of vulnerable families in our community and helping to create pathways to a brighter future.