The University of Missouri-Kansas City’s School of Education and the The Educator Academy partner to certify and graduate new teachers to a four-year commitment to teaching in high-need public schools.
Kansas City, MO (April 8, 2019) — The Educator Academy (The Educator Academy), a nonprofit organization that recruits, trains, and places a diverse teacher workforce in public Kansas City schools, announced a new partnership with the University of Missouri-Kansas City’s School of Education (UMKC). The education partners will work together to provide a rigorous master’s degree to program participants committing to teaching for 4 years in Kansas City area partner schools.
“I could not be more thrilled about this new partnership,” says Justin Perry, Dean of the School of Education at UMKC. “Our mission and core values at the School of Education fit perfectly with those of The Educator Academy. The joining of our two organizations promises to be a game-changer in Kansas City that will yield long-lasting impact on our teacher workforce and student success.”
The Educator Academy recruits cohorts of recent college graduates and career changers, with the goal of increasing the number of highly effective educators, especially, men and people of color who are entering the teaching force. This coming school year, 106 graduates of the teacher residency program will serve across 14 Kansas City area public school districts and charter schools that partner with The Educator Academy. Currently, The Educator Academy is preparing to welcome its fourth cohort in June with 40 incoming Teacher Residents.
“The partnership between The Educator Academy and UMKC will bring together two organizations who have a deep commitment to serving students who attend schools in the urban core of Kansas City,” says Charles King, President and Executive Director of The Educator Academy. “Through our collaborative efforts we hope to see the great impact on teacher growth and development, and ultimately the success of the students and communities that we serve.”
The Educator Academy teacher residents will be admitted to the School of Education on a degree track toward a Master’s of Arts in Curriculum and Instructional Leadership.
In addition to a master’s degree, The Educator Academy Residents receive their certification through The Educator Academy, receive an instructional coach, mentor teacher, and an AmeriCorps stipend during their first year of the program. Through The Educator Academy’s partnership with AmeriCorps Residents are able to request their qualified student loans be put into forbearance during their Residency Year, and receive an education award of $6,095 through AmeriCorps upon completion of the first year of the program.
About the The Educator Academy
The Educator Academy works to increase and retain the number of diverse, high-quality educators in classrooms across Kansas City’s urban communities through a teacher residency model of training and development. Founded in 2016, The Educator Academy partners with public Kansas City area school districts and charter management organizations, which serve as training and full-time placement sites for new teachers. Today, The Educator Academy teacher residents and graduates are teaching in 39 pre-K, elementary, middle, and high schools across 14 district and charter partners. The The Educator Academy program participants receive coaching, mentoring, and access to a master’s degree in urban education. The Educator Academy is a proud member of the AmeriCorps national service network. For more information, visit www.educator-academy.org. You can also find us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, see us on Instagram, and network with us on LinkedIn.
About the University of Missouri-Kansas City
The University of Missouri-Kansas City, one of four University of Missouri universities, is a public university serving more than 16,000 undergraduate, graduate and professional students. UMKC engages with the community and economy based on its six-part mission: placing student success at the center; leading in life and health sciences; advancing urban engagement; excelling in visual and performing arts; embracing diversity; and promoting research and economic development. For more information about UMKC, visit umkc.edu. You can also find us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, see us on Instagram and watch us on YouTube.
Press Contact:
Brittney McGinley,brittney@educator-academy.org, (816) 699-2440