About Us

The History of the New KnE.R.D.S. Movement

In 2006 after the birth of her son, Anashay “Teach-Em” Wright (formerly Murphy), left her position as Executive Director/Co-Founder of the Lisa “Left-Eye” Lopes Foundation and transitioned into the “World of Education.” As a third grade teacher, (with no formal experience or training as an educator), she was quickly able to identify student disengagement and lack of excitement for learning. Mrs. Wright had a gift for creating 21st Century Learners by combining the “real-world” experience she gained from corporate America and connecting those experiences to the curriculum students learned daily. In addition, Mrs. Wright utilized her passion for the arts as another tool to reach all students. She would often combine the music “students” liked with academic standards and inspirational lyrics to create a classroom of motivated students or as Mrs. Wright refers to them as “New Kn.E.R.D.S.” (Kn-Knowledgeable, E-Educated, R-Relentlessly, D-Driven, S- Scholars.) Mrs. Wright’s “Innovative Approaches” to reaching students became evident in her students performance on standardized test! During her first year teaching, 100% of students passed the Math section of the CRCT and over 40%exceeded. In Reading, 95% passed and over 30% exceeded. This success was experienced at a Title 1 school with over 85% African American students. Mrs. Wright TRULY believed ALL students could learn…and they did. She developed a strong bond with parents; and students had so much fun learning, they did not want the year to end.

Upon the request of students, parents and administrators, Mrs. Wright looped up to 4th grade (took all her 3rd graders and became their 4th grade teacher). This is when she met veteran teacher Ms. Kortni Boyd. Ms. Boyd had natural gift for creating Rigorous and Relevant instruction. As colleagues, Ms. Boyd and Mrs. Wright participated in a co-teaching model that yielded “strong academic gains” for all students. This was beginning of the Boyd-Wright Approach to creating 21st Century Scholars. As a result of Ms. Boyd’s and Mrs. Wright’s test scores and academic results, they were invited to serve as presenters for The Gwinnett County Public Schools Leadership Conference at the University of Georgia. This was just the first of many speaking and staff development engagements the Boyd-Wright team would be invited to present and speak at. From Walton County Public Schools to The Teacher Transformation Institute at Clark Atlanta University, their message has consistently been the same…”Academic success is created by tapping into the minds and hearts of children in an effort to meet them where they are and create a positive mindset about education!

After experiencing continued success in the classroom, Mrs. Wright wanted to expose children “outside” the classroom to this type of motivation. She returned home to The Lisa Lopes Foundation and contacted Ronald E. Lopes, President of the Lisa “Left-Eye” Lopes Foundation (and brother of Left-Eye from the world renowned Pop group TLC) who quickly agreed to adopt the New Kn.E.R.D.S. Program. Mr. Lopes lead the way on the production of the first New Knerds Project “Borderline Genius”, which was an INSTANT success among schools, churches & community events. In 2010, the New KnERDS volunteered their time by performing for well over 10,000 children across Metro Atlanta.

Current Initiatives

In December of 2010, Ms. Boyd began her educational program, “ Go Beyond the Book ©” and Mrs. Wright and Mr. Lopes continue to run the New Knerds Movement and serve as Co-Executive Producers for two albums, “Borderline Geniuses and Knerds Rule the World.” With the support of their:

· Production Team- (Walt “Dice Williams & Aaron “Water Boy” Bullock)
· Creative Director/Choreographer-Ron “12” Foster
· DJ-Durrant “1st Klass” Williams
· Administrative Team-Tamica “Thunderstorm” Watson
· Business Consultant-Monique Holmes
· Executive Team-Anashay “Teach Em” Wright and Ronald Lopes

“The New Knerds Movement is Just Scratching the Surface!”

Coming Soon…

“The New KnERDS 1st Video…Stay Tuned!!!”