Meet Dr. Kayon DePina: The Baltimore Educator Turning Buses Into Classrooms

A conversation about literacy, advocacy, and trusting your gut when it comes to your child's education

The morning I met Kayon at Artifact Coffee in Hampden, I didn't expect to leave with so much clarity about something I'd been struggling with for months: how to navigate Baltimore's school system as a parent who wants more for her kids but doesn't always know where to find it.

We sat outside at one of those small metal tables, both of us clutching warm drinks, me with my chai latte, her with an Indonesian coffee that had me regretting my safe choice. Between us sat two plates of their famous French toast bread pudding, homemade by our cashier's mom, studded with apples and absolutely worth the hype.

But what really made this coffee date memorable wasn't the setting or the food. It was Kayon's honesty about what it means to advocate for your child in a city where resources exist, but you have to know where to look and how to ask for them.

Who Is Dr. Kayon DePina?

Dr. Kayon DePina is the kind of person Baltimore needs more of. She's a K-2 literacy interventionist, the founder of LearnLink Consulting, a children's book author, and a mom who's actively working to close the early learning gaps that disproportionately affect Black and brown students in Baltimore.

But more than her résumé, it's her why that caught my attention.

"I am Dr. Kayon DePina, a mom, wife, and proud Jamaican living in Baltimore," she told me. "My most important role is raising my son Dylan, who inspires much of my work. Professionally, I serve as a K–2 literacy interventionist and the founder of LearnLink Consulting where I help families and organizations close early learning gaps."

Writing children's books grew naturally out of this calling. "I wanted stories that reflect real families like mine, full of love, questions, and resilience, while giving parents practical ways to nurture a love of reading at home."

That desire led to her Heart of a Scholar book series—short, simple stories rooted in social-emotional learning designed to fit into those 15 minutes of reading time families are supposed to spend together every night.

If you're a parent, you know how hard it is to make those 15 minutes happen when you're exhausted, dinner dishes are piled up, and your kid is bouncing off the walls. Kayon gets it. Her books aren't just educational—they're doable.

Trusting Your Gut: When Pink Flags Become Red Flags

We spent a good chunk of our conversation talking about something every Baltimore parent grapples with: choosing the right school.

Kayon recently pulled her son out of a school at the last minute—after tours, after paperwork, after making a commitment. Why? Because her gut told her it wasn't right.

"No school is perfect," she said. "But when you have a pink flag after a pink flag after a pink flag, it just becomes a saturated red flag."

She was clear that what felt wrong for her son might not be wrong for someone else's child. Every family has different priorities. But here's what stuck with me:

You know your child better than anyone else.

Her son is advanced. She didn't want to risk slowing down his development in an environment that wasn't set up to challenge him. One teacher's approach doesn't represent the whole school, but she wasn't willing to take that chance.

"I know my son very well. I know what will allow him to thrive and what won't," she said.

And that's the real lesson here. Not every school is a good fit for every kid. Not every highly-rated school is going to be right for your child. And sometimes, the best decision you can make is to trust yourself—even when it's scary, even when it's inconvenient, even when everyone else thinks you're overthinking it.

Kayon and her family: From left to right—husband, son, Kayon, father, mother, sister and sister.

The Power of a Word: Why "Scholar" Matters

One of the first things I asked Kayon was why she calls her students "Scholars." It's intentional, she explained.

“I use the word Scholar very intentionally. It tells every child, from the moment they sit with me, that they are already a learner of value—not someday, but right now. Scholar is an identity, not just a label. When children hear it daily, they internalize that learning is part of who they are, which builds confidence and lifelong curiosity.”

That stopped me in my tracks. How many kids—especially Black and brown kids in under-resourced schools—are told from the jump that they're already smart, already capable, already scholars?

Language shapes identity. And Kayon understands that.

The Heart of a Scholar: Books That Connect Families and Learning

Kayon's Heart of a Scholar series was born from countless conversations with families who wanted to connect emotionally while building reading skills.

"Each story is rooted in social-emotional learning and the SAMFIT framework: Social Awareness, Affirmation, Movement, Feelings, Identity, and Teamwork," she explained. "I want families to see that literacy and emotional growth go hand in hand and that every home can be a place where both flourish. They are also super simple reads to ensure families are spending the recommended 15 minutes reading time together."

The themes, vocabulary, and discussion prompts echo what she uses daily in literacy intervention. "Parents can pick up a book and feel as if they are sitting in my small-group lessons, guided to ask questions, stretch vocabulary, and celebrate progress."

Everything she writes is tested in real learning spaces first. It's not theory—it's what actually works with real kids in real classrooms.

The Scholar Experience: A Mobile Classroom on Wheels

Kayon's most ambitious project is still in the works, but it's the kind of idea that makes you sit up and pay attention: The Scholar Experience—a converted school bus turned mobile classroom.

Starting this summer, she'll be bringing two-generational learning directly into Baltimore neighborhoods that are experiencing learning deficits. But this isn't just about tutoring kids. It's about empowering families to advocate for their children's education together.

"I am launching The Scholar Experience mobile classroom, a converted school bus that brings two-generational learning directly into neighborhoods during the summer who are experiencing learning deficits. But really focusing on families learning together as a way to create a voice of advocacy in academics."

Think about what that means. It's not just, "Here's help for your kid." It's, "Here's how you can support your kid and navigate systems that weren't designed with you in mind."

That's transformative.

Her Philosophy: Education Uplifts Families, Not Just Kids

When I asked Kayon about her philosophy on education and why it's so personal to her, she didn't hesitate.

"Education is most powerful when it uplifts the entire family. My Two-Generational Approach means supporting children and their caregivers together so growth at school and at home reinforce each other. It is personal because I have lived it. As a mom balancing work and teaching, I know families need both love and practical tools."

This approach runs through everything she does; the books, the consulting work, and especially The Scholar Experience.

"I create learning routines that are joyful and doable. Whether it is a five-minute progress check or a family reading goal, these small, consistent steps show that learning is not a school assignment. It is a lifestyle. Children see their parents modeling curiosity and realize that growth never stops."

What Kayon Wishes Every Baltimore Parent Knew

Toward the end of our conversation, I asked Kayon what advice she'd give to parents trying to navigate Baltimore's education landscape.

Her answer was simple:

"Start small and stay consistent. Reading aloud every night or setting aside ten minutes for math games creates a lifelong habit of learning. Consistency matters more than perfection."

She also emphasized turning daily life into learning opportunities.

"Cooking dinner can become a science experiment. A walk can spark observations about nature and weather. When children see that learning is everywhere, they stay curious."

But the advice that hit hardest was this:

"Trust the process and give yourself grace. Growth, whether in teaching or parenting, is not a straight line. Celebrate small wins, stay curious, and remember that presence matters more than perfection."

What She'd Change About Baltimore Schools

When I asked what changes she'd love to see in Baltimore schools over the next 5–10 years, Kayon's vision was clear:

“I would love to see deeper family-school partnerships, especially in the black and brown spaces, more early-literacy specialists in every building, and systemic investment in two-generational programs that treat parents as co-educators. When schools and families move in sync, entire communities rise.”

She's not just talking about it—she's doing the work. And that's the energy Baltimore needs more of: people who see the gaps, who name them honestly, and who show up with solutions.

The Fun Side: Finding Inspiration in Baltimore

When I asked Kayon about her favorite Baltimore place for inspiration, her answer made me laugh.

"I find my greatest inspirations when I'm sitting outside on my deck with a hot cup of tea no matter the weather."

(Baltimore moms are built different, y'all.)

And what does she do for fun with her own kids when she's not working?

"If time allows it I love to travel and gain new experiences. But more budget friendly things is riding my Harley or just being outside in nature."

Yes, you read that right. Dr. Kayon DePina rides a Harley. Told you she was cool.

Why Baltimore Needs More Educators Like Kayon

Here's what I keep thinking about: Kayon didn't have to start LearnLink Consulting. She didn't have to write books. She didn't have to convert a school bus into a mobile classroom.

She could have just done her job, collected her paycheck, and gone home.

But she's doing this work because she sees the gaps—and she's not waiting for the system to fix itself.

That's the Baltimore I want to live in. And that's the Baltimore Kayon is building—one family, one book, one mobile classroom at a time.

Support Dr. Kayon DePina's Work

If you're a Baltimore parent looking for resources, check out Kayon's Heart of a Scholar book series and stay tuned for updates on The Scholar Experience.

You can find her books and learn more about LearnLink Consulting here -> https://www.learnlinkconsulting.com/

And if you know a parent who's struggling to navigate Baltimore schools, forward this to them. Sometimes the most helpful thing we can do is remind each other that we're not alone in this.

Final Thoughts

Sitting across from Kayon at Artifact Coffee, watching her talk about her work with so much passion and clarity, I was reminded why I started Hello Charm City in the first place.

Baltimore isn't perfect. The school system has real challenges. But there are people here, like Kayon, who are doing the hard, unglamorous work of making things better.

And for parents like us trying to figure it all out? Knowing that people like her exist makes all the difference.

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I'm Gift Ukpolo—licensed Maryland Realtor, Baltimore transplant, and the person behind Hello Charm City. If you're considering a move or just want to talk Baltimore neighborhoods, reach out anytime: officialhellocharmcity@gmail.com.

Have a Baltimore educator, parent, or community builder I should feature? Email me at officialhellocharmcity@gmail.com