ALUMNI FE ATURE
Lauren Sikes ’01
I M PAC T I N G
E D U C AT I O N
L
auren Sikes is the founder and CEO of DesignEd, an organization
seeking to revolutionize schools and the teaching profession by de-
signing innovative culture and curriculum. This 2001 CPA graduate
first fell in love with the power of a living curriculum (teachers) during
her time at the Academy, especially in her favorite high school classes: English,
Worldview Religions, and Peer Counseling. “Empathy has been a pillar of my
work and that was embedded through the stories and perspectives learned in
those classes,” says Lauren.
After graduating from CPA, Lauren attended Miami University on a swim-
ming scholarship and studied social work and political science. Years of
post-graduate experience teaching and building learning culture with Teach
For America and then Oak Hill School inspired her to start Oak Hill’s Summer
Teachers Institute.
In 2018, Lauren launched DesignEd to meet the specific need for revitaliza-
tion of teachers and the curricula through which they reach students. With
50 percent of teachers leaving the profession in the first five years of teaching,
DesignEd redesigns professional culture in schools by elevating teacher talent
in ways that build a capacity for excellence and innovation.
Lauren remembers Deanne Carroll as a CPA teacher who understood the craft
of teaching and was able to motivate and inspire students to think beyond them-
selves. As an avid reader, she remembers being “captivated” by the books she
read in Ms. Carroll’s class. Lauren also expresses her appreciation for Head of
Middle School Rhonda Smith.
“Rhonda Smith is a mentor to me and has provided me wisdom my entire
career. She reminds me to pay attention to the ways God is moving in my life,
especially in times when I have felt professionally stagnant,” says Lauren.
Lauren remains close with a core group of CPA alumni, stating “they moti-
vate, challenge, and encourage me in life.” She offers these words of advice
to young people walking the halls she once walked: “Don’t be afraid of your
dreams. Go for it and work hard to get there, and let God surprise you along
the way.”
Don’t be afraid of your dreams.
Go for it and work hard to get there,
and let God surprise you
along the way.
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