Kenisha Lee: From Super K to Special K

October 23, 2023 Andy Furman

UCHS gym. Courtesy of Kenisha Lee, UCHS

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She was dubbed Super K as a hooper.
Today, just call her Special K.

That’s because today, Kenisha Lee is teaching at Uncommon Charter High School, 1485 Pacific Street.

“I currently teach five Physical Education classes per-day, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays,” she told the Eagle. “And four classes per-day on Tuesday and Thursday.”

Uncommon Charter High School is a public school that is part of New York State Department of Education.

It serves 530 students in ninth-to-12th grades.

And its teachers have had four projects funded on Donors Choose.

“Uncommon Charter High School also has advisory classes on Fridays,” she said. “I am co-advisory for ‘The University of Connecticut.’”

Advisory, she explained, is where she works with a group of students to help set goals and implement plans to improve their grades in each class and overall GPA.

“I also reach-out to the parents/guardians and update them on their scholars’ progress as the year continues,” she said.

Quite the transition for the one-time basketball star.

A three-year performer for the girls’ squad at Banneker Academy, she averaged 15 points-a-game and 10 rebounds – good enough for her to compete at the next level – Dean College, a private institution in Franklin, Mass.
She served as a Peer Mentor Tutor for student athletes on academic probation while at Dean.

Why not? She was an Honors Scholar. Made the Dean’s List twice, the President’s List twice, received Dean’s Academic Athletic Achievement Award twice and was awarded the NJCAA All-Academic Superior.

And, if that doesn’t impress you, for graduation she received as award from Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges in Recognition of Merit and Accomplishments; was awarded the Trustees’ Prize for the School of Business Degree Program.
Did we mention – she graduated Summa Cum Laude.

Her basketball continued at UConn – where she served as student manager for the men’s basketball program while studying sport management.

Teaching and coaching were on the horizon,

She cut her teeth in teaching with the New York City Parks Department – at Brooklyn’s Sunset Park Recreation Center (4200 7th Avenue) as Site Supervisor.

“The biggest change from the Parks Department to becoming a teacher has been having to grade students for their preparation, participation and sportsmanship, as well as building relationships and having consistent communication with parents,” she said.

“As far as actual teaching, it feels similar to when I was a fitness instructor and coach for many years at New York City Recreation Centers,” she said.

Special K says there is “more hands-on” as a teacher.

Uncommon (High School) was her choice, she says back in 2020. “I interviewed with Mr. (Eric) Washington, the Athletic Director – and it clicked. He’s the perfect person to learn under.”

Coaching may be near. Last year’s Girls’ Varsity at UCHS finished with a 12-2 won-loss record and lost in the fourth round of the PSAL Division B playoffs.

“The varsity team has me in for practices, helping, but not in an official capacity,” she said.

Not yet – that’s when she’ll truly be Special K.

Andy Furman is a Fox Sports Radio national talk show host. Previously, he was a scholastic sports columnist for the Brooklyn Eagle. He may be reached at: [email protected] Twitter: @AndyFurmanFSR