Takeisha Brown serves as Principal at Wendell Phillips Elementary School in Kansas City Public Schools. She works diligently to support staff in all capacities in order to raise student achievement, even coaching teachers and modeling lessons when needed.
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.
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.
September is National Attendance Month, and SSKC is excited to feature Dr. Kia Turner as our Profile in Leadership for September. Dr. Kia is the CEO of Red Apple Education Corporation, an organization she founded following notable roles at Kansas City Public School District, Park University, and The Kansas City Teacher Residency.
As our schools return following a year of huge change, we celebrate the leadership of Lloyd Jackson, Ed.D, Assistant Superintendent of School Leadership at Kansas City Public Schools. Lloyd started his career in K-12 education as a mathematics educator, and joined Kansas City Public Schools in 2019 following a long career in education and leadership.
Kim Riley is the CEO and founder of The Transition Academy, a Kansas City based non-profit that provides college and career planning resources and support to special education students and their families. In March, 2020 Kim launched ‘Tuesday Talks’, a virtual forum and “safe space” for parents and educators to gather on a weekly basis to discuss obstacles and share solutions related to young adults with special needs.
Elimane Mbengue Head of School for Académie Lafayette Elimane Mbengue is the Head of School for Académie Lafayette, the first charter school established in the state of Missouri 21 years ago. Académie Lafayette has consistently outperformed the state average...
Allyson Hile is the Director of Language Services and Cultural Equity at Kansas City Public Schools where she leads a team of 14 individuals who support English-learning students and families and the teachers and school administrators who work with them.
Tysie McDowell-Ray is the Co-Founder and Chief Academic Officer of Crossroads Charter Schools. Two weeks ago she was honored in Washington, D.C. at the Annual Legislative Conference of the Congressional Black Caucus by the National Alliance of Public Charter Schools. SchoolSmartKC is pleased to support the growth and continuing success of Crossroads Charter Schools and educators like Ms. McDowell-Ray.
As SchoolSmartKC works to celebrate strong educators across our education ecosystem, and foster the next generation of educators, we are delighted to highlight the work of Charles King, President and Executive Director of the KC Teacher Residency.