Tell us more about your background; what drew you to work at SchoolSmartKC

I have spent the last 30 years working to improve educational outcomes for students and the educators who work with them. I often joke that I have worked in just about every position that touches PK-12 education: teacher, principal, university professor, and non-profit leader. Throughout my career, I have worked with amazing children, caring families, and talented educators across this country. I moved to Kansas City eight years ago to continue that work here. I believe deeply in what is possible for students here and that this community has everything needed to make quality education available to every student inside the KCPES. It is that belief that drew me to SchoolSmartKC’s mission and view of the potential that exists in Kansas City.

Why do you think the work SSKC does is so important to our community?

I think SSKC is uniquely positioned to work closely with all the stakeholders in our community who care deeply about all children and education. As a convener, we have cultivated relationships with and among organizations of varying sizes and scopes of work in Kansas City.  Our work impacts students throughout their educational trajectory, from early learning to post-secondary opportunities through our real-world learning efforts. SSKC works as both an ally and advocate for those doing the tremendous work of educating our students and the families who love them.

What barriers to opportunity and achievement do you think are the most significant in Kansas City? What needs to happen for us to overcome them for our students?

Like most cities, we can point to external barriers like housing and internal challenges like recruiting and retaining high-quality educators as barriers to opportunity and achievement. If we are going to increase opportunity and achievement for the students in Kansas City, we cannot ignore the literacy crisis. Far too many of our children are not reading at grade level. To overcome these and other obstacles, we need a collective effort and investment from all community members. This work needs to happen with investments inside Kansas City and advocacy in Jefferson City.

What are you most excited for as you join in this work?

Is it too cliché to say everything? I am excited about the areas where we are making an impact like the increase in early childhood access and our efforts to support the recruitment and retention of great teachers in Kansas City. I look forward to the impact and learnings that will happen with our new mental health efforts.

What surprising fact about you would you like people to know?

I have co-authored a book with a childhood friend entitled Journey Forward: How to Use Journaling to Envision and Manifest the Life You Always Wanted.