Twanna Monroe, Principal
By J.A. Jones, Staff Writer
ST. PETERSBURG – St. Petersburg native Twanna Monroe was a teacher for Pinellas County Schools, and after years in the system decided it was time to help create the change she wanted to see in the lives of children in her community.
Realizing that many children in south St. Pete communities were lacking some of the early childhood development skills needed to thrive in the public school system, in 2010 Monroe opened Infinite Potential Learning Center, serving children in infancy through age five.
Her students thrived – to the extent that soon, some were too advanced for the local schools and were even becoming bored in the environment they had “graduated” into.
Hearing the pleas from parents to continue offering the level of excellence that had served their preschoolers and under-six-year-old students so well, Monroe decided to increase the school’s programming through age twelve.
Monroe bought the vacant building on 12th Street that used to be Oak Grove Elementary — a school that decades earlier her own parents “weren’t even allowed to attend.”
On August 10th, 2022, Infinite Potential Learning Academy opened as a Black-owned and operated private school serving students from ages three to twelve.
Today, with continued growth, Monroe has plans for even greater expansion and offerings.
Future goals for IPLA include expanding programs to provide a diverse curriculum to students, including classes in robotics, financial literacy, athletics, and arts and crafts.
Monroe said the IPLA is working to impact the community with a long-term strategy, and notes that many of IPLA’s challenges overlap with the community it serves – with a primary issue being that education is often not valued within the community as it should be.
“To address the challenges facing youth in our community, we plan to implement a multifaceted approach
that provides opportunities for personal growth, leadership development, and community involvement.”
She says the first step will be to establish mentorship programs where young people are paired with positive role models who can guide them in setting and achieving their goals. These mentors will help build self-confidence and provide valuable life skills that will support long-term success.
IPLA will continue to make impact through workshops and training sessions that focus on leadership, goal setting, and resilience, to equip youth with the tools they need to thrive.
The programs will be designed to meet the unique needs of each participant, ensuring that they feel supported every step of the way.
“We will also create spaces where young people can collaborate with their peers, encouraging teamwork and fostering a sense of belonging within the community.”
Monroe believes that by empowering youth to take charge of their future, IPLA will help to instill “a strong sense of pride and responsibility in them. Our efforts will not only help young individuals achieve their goals but also shift the community’s reputation to one that celebrates leadership, achievement, and meaningful contributions to society.”
You can support IPLA by donating on the website, and by volunteering at events that are critical to student growth. Learn more at https://iplakids.org.
Read part one of IPLA’s article here. https://theweeklychallenger.com/infinite-potential-learning-academy-grows-in-south-st-pete/
To reach IPLA or Monroe, email info@iplakids.org
