Passionate About Education in Kansas City
The team at The Educator Academy is dedicated to emphasizing the importance and maximizing the effectiveness of education in urban environments. By setting a higher standard of excellence for everyone involved in the journey of education in Kansas City, from teachers to principals, to students, we believe we can transform the lives of Kansas City kids for the better.
If you are interested in joining our team, check out our Careers page to review our current openings.
Charles King
President & Chief Executive Officer
Program Department
Our program department handles all things for our programming, from admission to alumni. This department is broken into 3 teams. that each engage with participants at various points on the educator continuum.
Leslie McTighe
Chief Program Officer
Program Department:
Educator Preparation Team
Our educator preparation team focuses on the preparation and certification of new teachers. These staff members handle the programming, instruction, and coaching for teachers earning their certification through one of our programs, like the teacher residency or teacher fellows program.
Bethany Schofield
Director of Educator Preparation
Geneé Johnson
Assistant Director of Educator Preparation
Iyshia Sims
Program Manager of Educator Preparation
Jessica Garcia
Program Manager of Educator Preparation
Vonnchet Clark
Program Manager of Educator Preparation
Michelle McClaine
Program Manager of Educator Preparation
Program Department:
Educator Development Team
Our educator development team focuses on the equipping teachers already in the classroom. This looks like coaching returning teachers, hosting professional development like The Summit, and more! Read more about the work of Educator Development Team.
Work with The Educator Development Team
Ericka Morris
Program Manager of Educator Development
Melissa Noland
Program Manager of Educator Development
Tawar Khalandi
Program Manager of Educator Development
Program Department:
Admissions Team
Our admissions team handles the recruitment and admission of program participants for our alternative teaching certification programs. Interested in becoming a teacher? Our admissions team would be excited to share more details about our certification pathways. Sign up for a call with our admissions manager,
Lauren Sinovic
Director of Admissions
Vernon Birmingham
Admissions Manager
Growth Team
Our growth team handles the strategic partnerships with supporters, foundations, partners, and government entities. Through their strategic collaboration, we are able to make a difference in schools across the metro. Interested in supporting our work? Our growth team would love to connect to share ways you can be involved in our work. From school partnership, to a monetary donation, to volunteering your time, there are many ways for you to support our work.
Andrew Stuart
Managing Director of Growth
Chuck Cordt
Director of Development
Kat Lipka
Assistant Grants Manager
Operations Team
Our operations team is a multifaceted group that supports on the logistics and planning to make our organization’s work possible. From communications to HR, to finance, and event planning, our teammates support making our work possible
Beth Benkert
Chief Operating Officer
Andrea Bright Harrell
Operations Director
Aryiel Everett
Assistant Operations Manager
Kala Roberts
Communications & Marketing Manager
Get started today.
If you’re passionate about setting a higher standard for education, whether through applying, partnering, or donating, please contact The Educator Academy today at (816) 298-5660 to learn more about our alternative teaching certification program.