Cornell Ellis: is a native to Kansas City and is a product of a diverse Kansas City public and private education. After graduating from Rockhurst High School he played football at the University of Missouri-Columbia and while in college, Cornell began his passion for education and justice. He became the Director at the Boys and Girls Club Teen Center in Columbia, MO, while also managing the curriculum for trauma-informed English Language Arts practices at Roosevelt University in Chicago, IL.  Cornell received his Bachelor of Arts in History from Avila University with a specialization in Ancient World Studies. After graduating, Cornell taught, managed, instructional coached, and worked in administrative duties for 8 years. Through his teaching success, he was able to participate in and lead advanced professional development opportunities like the National Academy of Advanced Teacher Education (NAATE) and the Better Lessons Master Teacher program. Through Cornell’s passion and vision, he helped found AMPLIFY! Teachers of Color Conference and Brothers Liberating Our Communities (BLOC), which both exist to sustain and increase teachers of color in education. Cornell uses his educational and professional experience to provide a strong understanding of equitable and justice-centered surroundings for schools and leaders through public speaking and consultation with his LLC– Eggshells Inc. Cornell has led workshops and been a keynote speaker for notable conferences in education and liberation and continues to build creative spaces for liberation. By curating liberatory curricula, creating anti-racist professional development, and providing school systems with supplemental tools for teacher evaluation, Cornell aims to make all schools places where all teachers can thrive and all students can achieve.

Susana Elizarraraz: is a first generation American student & educator from & in the community where she’s lived her whole life, Northeast Kansas City, Missouri. As the first to graduate high school in her family, the hurdles of education were amplified. She was able to seek the support of family, staff members, co-workers, friends – her support system – to eventually graduate with her Bachelor’s in Elementary Education with an emphasis on Urban Education, as a scholar in the Institute for Urban Education, from the University of Missouri – Kansas City. She began teaching 6th grade at a school in her home neighborhood. In 2017, she then graduated with a Master’s of Arts in Teaching English as a Second Language from Webster University.

After teaching for 5 years, the systematic problems in education were as clear as ever & encouraged her to make a move. She has more recently been committed to equity in education, especially now through her work with the Latinx Education Collaborative. As the Deputy Director of the LEC, she works to increase Latinx educator representation in K-12 classrooms by establishing & fostering relationships amongst all community stakeholders to promote equitable access to Latinx educators, thus working toward an equitable education for all students.

Harrison Neal Sr.

Principal, Central Middle School, Kansas City Public Schools 

Harrison Neal Sr. is a turnaround principal in Kansas City Public Schools. Currently, he is serving as the principal at Central Middle School. In 2020, he was awarded the Excellence in Education Principal of the Year. Neal has an extensive list of additional accomplishments including: Missouri Association for Colleges for Teachers in Education Outstanding Beginning Teacher, KCPS Change Champion for Turnaround Schools Award, KCPS Rookie of the Year Award, KCPS Newcomer Award to name a few. Neal’s accomplishments are a result of improving the quality of education across three different urban school campuses in both charter and district schools. A product of the urban core in Kansas City, MO and an at-risk student as a child propels his passion for equity. More specifically, Neal is passionate with addressing the lack of quality education and opportunity for students residing in urban neighborhoods. He is two-time alumnus of the University of Missouri at Kansas City, as a cohort graduate of the Institute for Urban Education (IUE) completing his bachelor’s degree in elementary education and master’s degree in K-12 administration and doctoral candidate. He is actively involved in transforming the lives of the young people and growing leadership with the educators he serves.

Michelle Beasley:

Michelle Beasley is a proud alum of The Educator Academy from Cohort 3. She is presently the Visual Arts & Literacy teacher for PACE thru 5th grade at Crossroads Central Street Charter. She is also a well established artist that has shown her work in various venues and museums in Kansas City and beyond.

Aryiel Everett:

Hi i’m Aryiel, a digital creator, writer, photographer, and podcaster living in Kansas City, MO. As a single mom, I have a unique perspective and dedication that I bring to my work. Additionally, I am member of the (KC 22-23) Surge Fellowship program and the Communications and Operations Coordinator for The Educator Academy.

I have a passion for travel and a love of storytelling, and have always been drawn to the world of art and creativity I started doing photography in college to highlight mothers that needed maternity shoots but could not afford them.

Since then I have graduated to doing small weddings, family photos, and have the honor of being the Photographer at The Educator Academy. My preferences for photography have always been natural light shoots but I value taking photos anytime I get behind a lens with any lighting because it truly is an Aryiel view.

Christa Colwell:

Christa Colwell is a certified, licensed fitness instructor who has been teaching group exercise in Kansas City in multiple formats including Yoga, Zumba and Strength for twelve years.  Her mantra is H.O.P.E. which stands for “Helping Other People Exercise” and it is what is meant to do.