My parents came to Kansas City, Missouri in 1966 as immigrants from Mexico. As an immigrant family, and me as a first-generation student, we faced many issues that made it difficult to participate in the local educational system.
SchoolSmartKC
The Children Are Our Future, and an Investment in Them Is an Investment in the Future of Our City, State, Nation, and Our World!
My commitment to education stems from the fact that growing up, I considered a college education unattainable because of family size and income. My parents ensured that there was a home, food, clothes, and gifts for special occasions for seven children. I never felt deprived of anything significant
SSKC is Steadfast in Our Promise to “Do Better” as We Try to Be Leaders in Our City and Our Nation in Our Commitment to DEI
As the end of 2020 nears, all of us at SchoolSmartKC find ourselves reflecting on what has been one of the most difficult years and what the weeks, months, and years ahead might look like. The year started on an exuberant note with a Super Bowl win, but quickly turned disastrous with a global health pandemic and multiple, tragic events where black lives like George Floyd were cut short.
What Kind of Ancestor Do You Want to Be?
“To acknowledge our ancestors means we are aware that we did not make ourselves, that the line stretches all the way back, perhaps to God; or to Gods. We remember them because it is an easy thing to forget: that we are not the first to suffer, rebel, fight, love and die.”
School Quality is Not Achieved Overnight
I have been incredibly fortunate to interact with the multitude of educators, school leaders, families, and support organizations dedicated to serving our students. These relationships have enabled me to step into learning and teaching environments across dozens of schools in our city with a common understanding that requires all participants to roll up our sleeves and tackle the hard work of school improvement together.
Profiles in Leadership: Cori Smith
Cori Smith is the Program Director of Justice in the Schools (JTS). JTS operates out of several schools in the Kansas City and Hickman Mills school districts to help students and families with issues that negatively affect their lives and learning.
Join Our Team: Seeking Administrative Coordinator
We are currently seeking a Part-Time Administrative Coordinator. Read the description below to see how you might be a great new addition to the SchoolSmartKC team. Administrative Coordinator (Part-Time) Position Description October 2020 SchoolSmartKC (SSKC) is a...
For Special Education Families, Data-Informed Programs Are Critical to Post-COVID Success
Kim Riley, CEO of The Transition Academy, has spent the duration of 2020 working to ensure that the needs of Special Education students are met during and following the COVID-19 crisis. The Transition Academy, still in its infancy when COVID forced schools and student-focused programs into the digital space, was founded to provide post-high school resources for families of students with disabilities, and Kim recognized the importance of not slowing down with the organization’s mission:
In Our Schools, Culture Should be Diverse, but Opportunity Should be Universal
In the history of our country, there have been many milestones in celebrating the cultural mosaic that is the United States of America, and the vibrant and different communities that reside here. In 1988, when Ronald Reagan elevated the previously established ‘Hispanic Heritage Week’ to National Hispanic Heritage Month, it was seen as a long awaited recognition of the significant impact that Hispanic and Latin Americans have made to our nation’s history, and has been widely celebrated ever since.
Profile in Leadership: Susana Elizarraraz
Susana Elizarraraz is a Kansas City native and educator. Susana’s most recent role is serving as the Chief Community Officer for the Latinx Education Collaborative (LEC), an organization focused on growing and retaining the number of Latinx educators in Kansas City schools. The important work done by the LEC in increasing the representation of Latinx educators is essential for KC students, and for further enriching the quality education delivered in our schools.