About
SchoolSmartKC

Stacy is currently the Director of Operations at SchoolSmartKC. She works closely with the SchoolSmartKC’s CEO and senior team members to support day to day administrative support and operational support needs as well as broader organizational communications and outreach activities. Stacy has over a decade of experience in operations and administration, including two decades of experience running her own small business, and over 20 years working in education. Stacy is also a leader in the Kansas City music community, with several years of experience leading community-based music organizations and teaching both within school districts and as a private teacher. Her passion is education and is experienced in providing musical education to students of all ages and ability. In 2013, Stacy co-founded the Kansas City Horn Club and currently serves as the organization’s president. The Horn Club provides an opportunity for horn players of all ages and walks of life to unite and share their love of the horn and music with their community through performances and educational programs. Stacy holds a Bachelor of Music Education Degree from Northwest Missouri State University (2000) and a Master of Music Education Degree from the University of Kansas (2022). Stacy currently plays with the Olathe Civic Band and the Lenexa Orchestra. She is also a board member of the Olathe Civic Band and recently joined the Band of Angels Emerging Leaders Group. Stacy performs throughout the Kansas City area and beyond with her husband (fellow horn player and composer), Gavin Lendt.

Sebastian Barraza-Shackelford is the Project Coordinator and works closely with the Chief Program Officer to assist in the success of the organization’s initiatives. In addition, Sebastian works with Program Directors to develop, create, and support the delivery of presentations and other communications with stakeholders. Sebastian is passionate about education and removing barriers for families and communities to achieve their full potential. Sebastian comes to SchoolSmartKC after seven years serving as a teacher at the Ewing Marion Kauffman School, where he formed part of the founding high school team, founded the Boys and Girls high school soccer teams, and served as the Physical Education department chair where he introduced a Health curriculum plan for 5th through 8th Grade. Sebastian also served as a Field Organizer for the Missouri Workers Center, where he had an opportunity to connect with the community and working Missourians. Prior to arriving to Kansas City via Teach for America as a 2015 Corps Member, Sebastian was a Team Leader for the Husky Sport Program in the east side of Hartford, Connecticut. In that role, Sebastian spearheaded nutrition and physical activity initiatives for students aged 5 through 19, and he developed and conducted after-school and weekend programs for students and community members in partnership with organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club, the Salvation Army and the Catholic Worker House. Sebastian is a native of Lima, Peru, and Arlington, Texas. Sebastian holds a Bachelors in Education from the University of Texas – Arlington and a Masters in Educational Leadership from the University of Connecticut. He lives in Independence, Missouri, with his wife, Christina, who is a 9-year veteran educator in KC, 1 year old daughter Raymi, their two dogs Raegan and Buddy and their pet pig Alexander.

Abigail Kohout serves as the Grants and Compliance Manager, working with the entire SSKC team to oversee new and open agreements and their associated deliverables. She graduated from Northeastern University in Boston, MA in 2020, majoring in Human Services with certifications in EMS and paralegal studies. After graduation, Abigail continued working with Northeastern’s Social Impact Lab, another grantee/grantor nonprofit organization, before moving to Kansas City where she gained Project Management experience in the private sector. Abby has a passion for social change and lifelong-learning, with an interest in education sparked by her mother who has worked in the education field in Iowa for 15 years. Abigail enjoys the city, living in Westport with her two cats, Clementine and Carrot Soup.

Sarena Weatherspoon, a native of Kansas City, has devoted her career to supporting students of all ages, with a special focus on her hometown community. She graduated from Xavier University of Louisiana in New Orleans in 2019, majoring in Communication Studies with a minor in Political Science. After graduation, Sarena continued her commitment to community service through her work with organizations such as AmeriCorps, the Boys and Girls Club, and LINC. Her dedication to helping others is a central theme in her life, and she continually seeks new ways to contribute to the well-being of her community. Sarena also enjoys creative pursuits of many forms, is an enthusiastic learner, and has a passion for collecting plants. At home, she enjoys the company of her cat, Lola. Sarena’s blend of professional dedication and personal interests reflect her genuine desire to make a positive impact in the lives of those around her.

Stanley Taylor, Jr., Program Director, is dedicated to elevating our educational workforce by implementing innovative strategies for talent acquisition, retention, and ongoing professional development. Prior to joining SchoolSmartKC, Stanley worked with Communities In Schools serving students and families at Benjamin Banneker Elementary as their Student Support Coordinator since 2017. Stanley’s devotion for serving the youth began before joining the Banneker team! It was in his role as the Director of Youth Programs at the Mary L. Kelly Community Center that he was able to discover a new love and a new mission for our students.

Stanley earned his bachelor’s degree in information & systems and business management from Northwest Missouri State University. As we look to the future, Stanley is committed to driving our organization’s success by cultivating a talented and empowered workforce, making a lasting impact on both individuals and the collective success of our organization.

Dr. Robin E. Henderson is a native of Gary, IN. She attended Butler University in Indianapolis, IN, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. She received her Master of Science in Counseling from Indiana University and holds a PhD in Education from Ball State University in Muncie, IN. For over 30 years, Robin has worked in education. She spent ten years working as an elementary school teacher and served as Dean of Student Services for two years. While completing her Doctoral studies, she worked as a Reading and Writing consultant for several schools in Indiana. In 2006, Robin began teaching in the Education Department at Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, IN, where she served as Coordinator of Elementary Programs and organized field experiences for students in Indianapolis’ urban core. Dr. Henderson relocated to Kansas City in 2016 by way of Memphis, where she was the Executive Director of the Memphis Teacher Residency (MTR), a non-profit education organization whose mission is to recruit and train teachers for Memphis’ urban schools within a Christian context. Through her seven years of work leading MTR, she has crafted and led one of Tennessee’s highest-performing teacher preparation programs and demonstrated how these programs could partner with and strengthen neighborhoods and communities. While in Memphis, she also held the status of Program Director of the Masters of Urban Education and Associate Professor of Education at Union University. Dr. Robin has worked on both sides of the state line, serving as the Founding Principal of the Kansas City Neighborhood Academy and then as Director of Professional Development for the Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools. Most recently, she worked as an Organizational Specialist for the National Education Association. Dr. Robin also partnered with Mindful Momentum as a certified mindfulness trainer and developer of The Engaged Leader, a program designed to enable leaders at all levels to be present, mindful, and access their best selves to lead their teams and organizations effectively. Dr. Robin is a life member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and currently serves as a member of the ministry team at Bethel AME Church, KCMO.

Kristina Collins, Program Director, is working to facilitate collaboration between K-12 schools and early childhood providers, and provide support to smaller community-based early childhood providers in their efforts to improve quality. Kris most recently worked at the Upper Room where she managed and provided oversight for their Early Learning Center, After-school, and Summer Academic Programs, while also raising over $2 million for facilities renovations and improvement, and programmatic support. Kris has a long career in public education, working with both charter schools and the Kansas City Public School District. She has led efforts in both the K-12 and early childhood sectors, including involvement with curriculum and assessment redesign, culminating in Missouri Accreditation. Kris has worked in the Kansas City community for over 30 years, cultivating partnerships and collaborative opportunities to ensure systemic change. Kris has her B.S. in Business Administration/Marketing and a M.S. in Organizational Development – both from Avila University.

Dr. Angelique Nedved is President & CEO of SchoolSmartKC, leading efforts to eliminate the opportunity gap for students in Kansas City’s public education system. A lifelong educator and coalition builder, she is known for forging purposeful partnerships that spark innovative solutions and measurable results.

Her leadership bridges policy and practice – partnering with families, schools, community organizations, and national thought leaders to translate ideas into strategies that drive measurable gains for students. Named one of the nation’s Top 30 Transformers, Technologists, and Trailblazers in 2016, Angelique brings experience as a teacher, principal, and district leader.

Before becoming CEO, she served as SchoolSmartKC’s Chief Program Officer and Director of School Quality, driving initiatives to improve school performance and expand access to high-quality education. She holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies.