This blog was transcribed from an interview with Quinby Hunter, Cohort 2 alum of our residency program and teacher in the Kansas City Public School District. It has been formatted to fit a blog written as a reflection. All edits that have been made are for legibility purposes only.
At The Educator Academy, we believe that great teachers aren’t just born—they’re made through intentional training, mentorship, and support. One of the best ways to understand the impact of our teacher residency program is by hearing from those who have lived it.
Today, we’re sharing the journey of Quinby Hunter, a Cohort 2 alum of our teacher residency program and a dedicated teacher in the Kansas City Public School District. From navigating her transition into education to fostering an sense of community in the classroom, Quinby reflects on how The Educator Academy equipped her with the tools, confidence, and community she needed to thrive as an educator.
Why did you choose The Educator Academy’s residency program as your entry into education?
“I started with education when I graduated from college. I graduated with a degree in chemistry, but I didn’t want to go to grad school and I didn’t know what I wanted to do. So did a service year with City Year here in Kansas City. I really enjoyed being in the classroom and saw a place for myself there. But because my background was in chemistry, I needed an entrance path if I was going to go into teaching.
The Educator Academy seemed like the best option in terms of the finances and also in terms of the support available. I knew that I wanted to be a teacher, but I also knew I didn’t want to be a teacher the following year. I wanted to have the opportunity to prepare, plan, and really understand what it meant to be a teacher before becoming a teacher. And I felt that doing a residency through the Educator Academy gave me the opportunity to get that experience before having to be the teacher in the front of the classroom.”
The Educator Academy’s Residency Program is an alternate path to teacher certification that allows residents to train under a mentor teacher while earning their certification within one year. This model allows teacher residents to learn theory and apply strategies in real-time. Upon completing the residency, graduates commit to teaching in Kansas City for at least three years. Throughout the entire journey, The Educator Academy provides ongoing instructional coaching to support their development and ensure they become highly effective educators.
Ready to pursue a career in the classroom? Learn more about our residency and fellowship programs.
How did the program help you grow and where have you seen the most growth as an educator so far?
“Being involved with the program helped me really understand what it meant to be a teacher. Everyone can always think about their own experiences as a student in the classroom, but until you learn how to become a teacher and really understand the ‘whys’ and ‘hows’ behind what you may have experienced when you were a student, you can’t then take it to use it as a teacher.
I teach high school. I was in the ninth grade 15 years ago. We didn’t have computers then, not like we do today. And that makes a difference. I needed to see and be exposed to different ways of teaching and interacting with students that weren’t my own experiences as a student. So being a part of the residency and being a part of Educator Academy helped me really understand how education has changed and what my part in the changing landscape of education is.”
You mentioned you’re a Kansas City transplant. What would you say to someone considering moving to Kansas City to teach?
“I am from the middle of nowhere in upstate New York. So this is actually a city for me in comparison to some of the places I’ve lived. But even though it is a city, it’s not a big city. It’s a small city and I love the connections that exist in Kansas City. Because of that, I have met people and seen them in one context and then met them again and seen them in a completely different context. I love the interconnectedness of the city. It’s big enough to not know everyone, and it’s also small enough to be able to connect with people. And the people who are here are very welcoming and inviting and open to people who are coming in. I also think that’s true in terms of entering into school communities. School communities can be very tight-knit and very guarded. But here in Kansas City, I have been welcomed and had the opportunity to be part of the communities there.”
We’re excited to offer additional bonuses and incentives to incoming residents and fellows, including a relocation stipend to help ease the transition to Kansas City. With its vibrant community and strong support for educators, Kansas City is the perfect place to launch your teaching career—and we’re here to help you every step of the way! Schedule a call with our talent team to explore the incentives you may qualify for.
How do you foster a sense of community in your classroom and how does knowing yourself help with that?
“One of the biggest challenges with where I teach is that I teach English language learners, so it’s very easy for my students to divide themselves by the languages they speak at home. It’s very easy for students to be like, ‘Well, we speak Spanish, so we are going to work with the other students who speak Spanish,’ or, ‘We speak Swahili, so we’re going to work with the other students who speak Swahili,’ because they’re afraid to use English and venture into that space of a new shared language. That’s a difficult challenge to overcome. And for students who are just entering the United States, that’s a big barrier to interaction. So I try and make sure my students understand it’s okay to put themselves out there. And that yes, it’s easy to speak with someone who shares a language with you, but you learn more and you get more opportunities when you speak with people who have different backgrounds and different experiences than you. And you have the opportunity to foster yourselves by having those interactions. So I work in my classroom to be vulnerable myself and then also to encourage my students to be vulnerable with each other about going out there and using their language and understanding that yes, you are meeting people who are from different places, who look different from you and who have different experiences from you. And that’s something to capitalize on.
What else would you like to share about your experience with The Educator Academy?
I am starting my eighth year [of teaching]. And in a district like KCPS, I’m considered experienced. I have been around for a long time. However, the big thing I keep finding myself and the people who I aspire to be like in my building, and the people who I have the best collaborations with and the best conversations with are the people who, even though we’ve been there, you know, four or five, however many years, they are still trying to learn and they’re still thinking, ‘What can I do better in my school, in my room, and in my classroom, and how I teach and what can I do? What can I do better for, at a larger level, at the school level, at the district level? What problems are we seeing? What constraints are being put in place that could be made to make it so students can learn better?’
I think doing a residency and being a part of the Educator Academy and all of the things that have led to where I am today have helped me have the confidence in my knowledge of what I know and what can be done. Because I’ve seen and talked to people who work in different schools throughout Kansas City. That broader experience helps me push back against what’s happening in my building. And I think it’s because of the experiences and the opportunities that I’ve had that I have the wherewithal and the knowledge and the capacity really to push back and to say, ‘How can we do more and how can we do better?’”
Quinby’s story is a testament to the power of mentorship, preparation, and continuous growth in education. The Educator Academy isn’t just about earning a certification—it’s about building a foundation for a fulfilling and impactful career in teaching. Whether you’re considering a move to Kansas City or looking for a pathway into education, our residency and fellowship programs provide the support and resources to help you succeed. Ready to take the first step? Learn more about how The Educator Academy can help you launch your teaching career today.