KANSAS CITY - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Member of the Diversity Committee
Job Titles:
- ELL & Special Education Interventionist
Ms. Garcia joined Citizens in 2022-2023 as a Special Education teacher and ELL specialist. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Universidad Autonoma de Madrid and a Masters in ELE Teaching Spanish as a Second Language from Universidad Europea Miguel in Cervantes, Spain. Prior to joining us, she had four years of teaching experience in Madrid, Spain, as well as three years of experience as an au pair for special needs children. Ms. Garcia is bilingual in Spanish and English.
Job Titles:
- Special Education Instructional Assistant
Ms. Harrington joined Citizens in 2017-2018 and is now a Special Education Instructional Assistant. She has a B.A. in Education from University of Central Missouri. Prior to joining us, Ms. Harrington spent 10 years as a teacher in early childhood settings.
Ms. Huggans joined Citizens in 2019-2020 and is the Behavior Coach. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Social Work from Missouri State University; prior to joining our team, she worked at Operation Breakthrough and served as a Social Work Specialist for organizations in Kansas and Missouri.
Ms. Brents joined Citizens in 2019-2020 and is a Math teacher. She holds B.A. degrees in Sociology and Criminal Justice from MidAmerica Nazarene University in Olathe, KS. She received her teaching certificate from Avila University. Prior to joining us, Ms. Brents had five years of experience as a middle school math teacher in Gardner Edgerton and Shawnee Mission School Districts. She also spent time in South Korea teaching English.
Job Titles:
- Coordinator - Facilities & Food Service
Mr. Smith joined Citizens in 2022-2023 and is now a Coordinator of Facilities and Food Service. He holds a bachelors in Nonprofit Leadership from Williams Jewell College. Before joining the Citizens family, he served in a number of roles doing community outreach and event planning.
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Board
- Member of the Finance & Operations Committee
After earning her Masters of Public Policy from George Mason University in 2011, Ms. Finocchario transitioned from Education to Healthcare to explore her newfound passion. Through that, she has had the opportunity to work for various non-profits in roles surrounding process and quality improvement, safety, compliance, and risk management. Though she works in healthcare, she has never lost her passion for her first love - education.
Mr. Tendick joined the Citizens of the World staff in 2022-2023 as a Special Education Instructional Assistant and Registered Behavior Therapist. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Illinois State University. Prior to joining us, Mr. Tendick has served as a Registered Behavior Technician, paraprofessional, and other community support roles.
Mr. Davenport joined Citizens in 2021-2022 and is now a 3rd grade teacher. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education from Ottawa University and a Master's in Urban Education from Park University. Prior to joining us, he had three years experience teaching in Kansas City district schools.
Ms. Murphy joined the Citizens of the World community as a 1st grade teacher in 2022-2023. Before joining our staff, she served as a Science City educator and filled the roles of long-term substitute, secretary, and reading group facilitator in area elementary schools.
Mr. Manley joined Citizens of the World in 2021-2022 and now serves as our Assistant Principal, in addition to teaching middle school history. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from Rockhurst University and a Master of Arts from Wichita State University. Prior to joining us, he had six years of experience teaching and serving as an administrator in Kansas public schools. In addition to his experience in schools, he is a published author.
Ms. Betts joined Citizens in 2018-2019 and after serving as a classroom teacher, is now a Literacy Interventionist & Coach. She holds a B.A. from Neumann University and an M.A. in Early Childhood Education from Lincoln University. Before joining us, Ms. Betts had one year of experience as a 2nd Grade Literary Support teacher in Philadelphia, PA.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Chief Innovations Officer With EarlystART Schools
Dr. Asia Foster is the Chief Innovations Officer with EarlystART Schools. Prior to this position, she shared her passion for early childhood by serving as the Early Learning Program Manager with the Mid-America Regional Council and the Director of the Early Learning Childhood Center at Zayed University in Abu Dhabi. Additionally, she has served as the Chair and Associate Professor of Education/Early Childhood at Johnson County Community College and as a State Training Coordinator for the Family Conservancy. Dr. Foster was also a Fulbright Scholar in 2016-2017, working with local and national entities on the development of early childhood and basic education strategies and focusing on improving data-driven teacher training.
Job Titles:
- Executive Director
- Member of the Academic Excellence Committee
- Member of the Educational Equity Committee
Dr. Danielle Miles started her teaching career at a local K-8 charter school. She moved to the Raytown School District in 2006 where she taught in an elementary classroom for five years and served as an elementary principal for nine years at Blue Ridge Elementary. As a principal, Dr. Miles focused on building a positive, collaborative culture and emphasized developing leaders and learners who inspire others to greatness. Her notable successes included maintaining high enrollment, building and retaining an exceptional staff, and steady improvement in all facets of the school's performance. The school consistently ranked in the top three academically in the district and also significantly reduced behavior and suspension data by establishing a successful multi-tiered support system.
Dr. Miles has a Bachelor's Degree from Park University in History, a Master's Degree in Curriculum & Instruction from Avila University, an Education Specialist from the University of Central Missouri, and Doctorate in Interdisciplinary Leadership from Creighton University.
Job Titles:
- Co - Chair of the Educational Equity Committee
- Member of the Academic Excellence Committee
- Vice - Chair of the Board
- Associate Professor and Chair at Rockhurst University
Sarah is an Associate Professor and Chair at Rockhurst University in the School of Education; she brings nearly 20 years of experience in education, working in K-12 and higher education settings. Sarah currently teaches in the undergraduate and graduate teacher education programs. As a teacher educator, she engages in partnerships with the STEAM Studio, Prep-KC, Lead to Read, and various K-12 schools in the metro and greater Kanas City area. She is professionally involved in organizations such as the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, Missouri Association of Colleges of Teacher Education, Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education, and the Kansas City Area Teachers of Mathematics. Sarah was been recognized with the 2019 Rockhurst University Excellence in Outcomes Assessment Award as well as the 2021 Magis Leadership Award. Sarah holds a bachelor of science degree in mathematics and secondary education from Rockhurst as well as a M.Ed. and Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Sarah lives in Leawood, KS with her husband Matt and two children, Myra and Isaac.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Governance Committee
Ms. Barron joined the Citizens of the World staff in 2022-2023 as a counselor. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies and a Masters in Social Work from the University of Missouri - Kansas City. Prior to joining us, Ms. Barron served as a paraprofessional and Court-Appointed Special Advocate, she is passionate about supporting students and creating a welcoming school environment.
Ms. Joyce joined Citizens in 2021-2022 as a Special Education ParaProfessional / Registered Behavior Technician. She has taken classes in Early Childhood at Metropolitan Community College. Prior to joining us she had worked as a ParaProfessional in private settings.
Job Titles:
- Coordinator - Constructivist Learning & Early Childhood
Ms. Gibbs was a member of our founding faculty at CWCKC and will serve as the Coordinator for Constructivist Learning & Early Childhood this year. She has a B.S. from the University of St. Mary and an AMS Montessori Certification. Across her 25-year teaching career, she has worked in early childhood settings, including specialized settings for supporting children experiencing trauma.
Mr. Fierro joined Citizens in 2019-2020 and is our Middle School History teacher. He has a B.A. from the University of Connecticut and an M.A. in Special Education from Relay Graduate School of Education. Prior to joining us, Mr. Fierro had three years of experience as a Special Education teacher in Brooklyn, NY. Mr. Fierro is bilingual in English and Spanish.
Job Titles:
- Special Education Teacher
Ms. Barr joined us in 2022-2023 as a Special Education Teacher. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Social Psychology from Park University and a Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis from Southeast Missouri State University. Prior to joining us, Ms. Barr worked with preschool students as a Registered Behavior Technician.
Judge Ardie Bland is a Municipal Court Judge for the 16th Judicial Circuit Court of Missouri - Kansas City Municipal Division. Judge Bland is a native of Kansas City, Missouri and graduated from Lincoln College Preparatory Academy in 1988. Bland attended and graduated from Truman State University with a Bachelor's of Science degree in Economics. After graduation, he attended Drake University Law School in Des Moines, IA, where he worked in the law clinic for the indigent and the Trial Advocacy Team. In 1995, he returned home to Kansas City, MO to practice law. While working at the Social Security Administration, he became extremely passionate and knowledgeable of the physical and mental health diagnoses and their impacts on an individual's ability to function in society.
After later representing clients for a number of years in his law firm, Ardie Bland wanted to have a bigger impact on his community, and he sought the position of Judge to try to make a difference from the bench. In 2008, Judge Ardie A. Bland was appointed by Mayor Mark Funkhouser and the Kansas City Council, Division 205, for the 16th Judicial Circuit Court of Missouri. In 2009, Judge Bland presided over the first Veteran's Treatment Court in the State of Missouri which has worked in conjunction with the Veterans Administration to help hundreds of veterans in the greater Kanas City metropolitan area to deal with issues of substance abuse, homelessness, unemployment and mental health issues such as PTSD.
Judge Bland continued to make an impact throughout the community by also presiding over the Truancy Court from 2012 to 2015. Under his direction, more than 400 students from the various school districts serving Kansas City, Missouri successfully completed the intervention program which reports a 3 percent recidivism rate. Attendance rates for students completing Truancy Court increased between 5 to 25 percent. In 2015, he became presiding judge over the Kansas City, Missouri, Mental Health Court, where he was able to help individuals with mental illness connect with mental health service providers, obtain treatment, and stay medicated without being incarcerated in an attempt to reduce police interaction and harm to the individual or the community. Judge Bland enjoys his current work with both courts because he is able to focus on treatment and rehabilitation rather than punishment.
Job Titles:
- Coordinator - Language Services
Ms. De La Paz is joining Citizens during the 2022-2023 school year as our Coordinator of Language Services, providing Spanish translation and interpretation services. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from the University of Missouri - Kansas City. She has more than fifteen years of experience as a translator and interpreter, including leading efforts to establish a department for Spanish interpretation at Children's Mercy Hospital.
Ms. Mills joined Citizens in 2016-2017 and is our Office Manager on the Broadway Campus. She has a B.A. in Marketing and Management from Stephens College. Prior to joining us, Ms. Mills worked in Administrative Services for 11 years from the Greater KC YMCA to the Metropolitan Bar Association.
Job Titles:
- Chairman
- Treasurer of the Board
- Senior Vice President of Landmark National Bank
Jeff Phillips is Senior Vice President of Landmark National Bank in Kansas City. An Oklahoma native, Jeff began his banking career in high school as a teller and experienced many different aspects of the bank's operations. In 1998, after graduating from Oklahoma State University with a B.S. in Agriculture Economics, he began his career as a loan officer with a $60 million bank in his hometown of El Reno, OK. After earning an MBA from the University of Oklahoma, Jeff was asked to lead the retail efforts of a $4 billion regional bank which ultimately led to his move to Kansas City. Upon accomplishing his goals in that arena, he resumed his commercial lending career, focusing on small to mid-sized operating companies, providing expertise in accounts receivable/ inventory financing, equipment purchases and cash management services. In 2007, Jeff was given an opportunity to help establish a bank's presence in Kansas City. It was here, he served on the leadership team providing direction in the areas of deposit generation, branch site selection and personnel development. Desiring to return to his community banking roots, Jeff joined the team at Missouri Bank in 2010 where he had the privilege to serve on the bank's Loan Committee, Senior Leadership Team, ALCO, and Enterprise Risk Committee while leading several ad hoc initiatives. In 2018, Jeff was recruited to spur Landmark's growth in the Kansas City area. Here he has had the opportunity to open a new location, build a talented team and grow the bank's presence and reputation within the community. He continues to focus on assisting Entrepreneurs with both their personal and business banking needs.
Ms. Christensen joined Citizens in 2020-2021 and is a 1st grade teacher. She has a B.S. from Lafayette College and an M.A. in Early Childhood Education from University of Missouri. Prior to joining us, Ms. Christensen had nine years of experience teaching Kindergarten in other Kansas City charter and district schools.
Job Titles:
- Immediate past Chair
- Member of the Finance & Operations Committee
- Senior Vice - President for Community Investment and Agency Relations at United Way of Greater
Jim MacDonald is the Senior Vice-President for Community Investment and Agency Relations at United Way of Greater Kansas City. In his role with United Way, Jim is responsible for managing a portfolio of $15 million worth of annual investments in health and human service programs throughout Greater Kansas City. Jim also oversees a range of projects and initiatives aimed at combating poverty and building financial stability among low-income families. Jim has worked for United Way in various capacities for 29 years, having served with the United Ways in Kansas City and Jacksonville, Florida. Jim holds a BA from the University of Notre Dame. Jim and his husband Andy are actively involved in efforts to promote LBGT equality in Kansas City, particularly on behalf of LGBT youth and families. Jim is a long-standing member of the City of Kansas City's Public Improvements Advisory Committee and a 25-year resident of midtown Kansas City. Jim and Andy are proud parents of a CWCKC student. They live with their daughter in the Volker neighborhood.
Ms. Tejada joined the staff of Citizens of the World in 2022-2023 as a 4th grade teacher. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Missouri State University. Prior to joining us, Ms. Tejada gained experience in the classroom through tutoring and instructing painting classes.
Job Titles:
- Director of Student Services
Ms. Chambers is returning to CWCKC as the school's Director of Student Services. She is a Licensed Master Social Worker, has a BSW from the University of Missouri, and an MSW from New York University. Prior to joining our team, she served as a Social Worker for a New York charter school, a hospital social worker, and a family advocate.
Job Titles:
- Special Education Teacher
Mr. Albarelli joined us in 2022-2023 as a Special Education Teacher. He holds a Bachelor of Music from Truman State University and a Masters in Special Education from University of Missouri - Kansas City. Before joining us, Ms. Albarelli had eight years of experience teaching special education at schools in Wisconsin and Missouri.
Mr. Goff joined the Citizens staff in 2022-2023 as our K-8 music teacher. In addition to being a percussionist who performs locally, Mr. Goff has five years of experience teaching music in Kansas City schools, educating students from preschool through middle school.
Mrs. McCloud joined Citizens in 2019-2020. Mrs. McCloud holds a B.S. in Education from Pittsburg State and a M.A. in Curriculum & Instruction from Emporia State University. Prior to joining our team, Mrs. McCloud had 17 years of experience as a classroom teacher in Olathe, KS.
Job Titles:
- Coordinator - Recruitment & Enrollment
Mrs. Lineberry joined Citizens in 2020-2021 and is now our Coordinator of Recruitment & Enrollment after serving in 4th Grade Teacher and Math Instructional Specialist roles. She has a Master of Arts in Education and a Master of Arts in Music from Truman State University, as well as her K-12 Gifted Certification. Before joining us, Mrs. Lineberry had 6 years of experience in district schools in both Florida and Missouri and spent time teaching early childhood music.
Job Titles:
- Special Education Instructional Assistant
Ms. Smeza joined the Citizens of the World team during the 2022-2023 school year as a Special Education Instructional Assistant. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Arts from DePaul University. Ms. Smeza has experience in administrative and educational work with non-profits in Chicago, Los Angeles, and Kansas City.
Ms. Ethridge joined the Citizens of the World staff in 2022-2023 as a 2nd grade teacher. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Park University. She has received training in Conscious Discipline and helping students who have experienced trauma and has more than 8 years of experience in district and private elementary schools in the Kansas City area.
Ms. Kerrie was a founding member of our Citizens of the World faculty in 2016-2017. She has a B.A. from the University of Kansas and an M.Ed. in Elementary Education from Rockhurst University. Before joining us, Ms. Schoen had four years of experience teaching visual arts and dance while teaching abroad in the Dominican Republic as well as at another KC charter school.
Job Titles:
- Special Education Teacher
Ms. Anderson joined the Citizens of the World staff in 2022-2023 as a Special Education Teacher. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Child and Family Studies from Park University. Ms. Anderson has more than 20 years of experience in the field of education, spending time as a director of an early childhood center, instructional assistant, after-school program director, parent aide, and paraprofessional.
Mrs. Roland joined Citizens in 2021-2022 and is a 5th grade teacher. She holds a B.A. in History from College of Wooster and is pursuing her M.A. in Education from Missouri State University. Prior to joining us, Mrs. Roland had 11 years experience in district and charter schools in North Carolina as well as the Kansas City area. In addition, she was the Director of Teaching & Learning with Teach for America - Kansas City.
Ms. Nowlin joined Citizens in 2020-2021 and is now a 5th grade teacher. She has a B.S. in Elementary Education from University of Missouri St. Louis. Prior to joining us, Ms. Nowlin had two years of experience teaching at another Kansas City charter school.
Ms. Grove joined Citizens in 2021-2022 as a Health Aide. She is a Certified Nursing Assistant with her Associates degree in Healthcare Management from National American University. Prior to joining us she had 21 years of experience in the medical field with 16 years in pediatric care at various clinics.
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Audit Committee
- Member of the Board
- Managing Director of Strategy and Government Relations for OpenCities
Luke is Managing Director of Strategy and Government Relations for OpenCities a Kansas City and Melbourne, Australia based government technology firm. Previously Luke served as the Senior Director of Government Relations at Code For America, an organization that helped build open-source technology while empowering residents to take an active role in their community to make government services simple, effective, and easy-to-use. Luke has 12 years of experience in executing growth strategies for start-ups, including not-for-profit and Fortune 500 companies and that work, in addition to his role at CWC-KC landed him on the Top Connectors list in the Kansas City education and entrepreneurship community. He's been recognized as a Distinguished Citizen by the National Conference for Community and Justice, named a Rising Star of Philanthropy, and appointed as a Commissioner to the Housing Authority of Kansas City. Luke is also a member of the advisory boards for KC Digital Drive and Neighborly, a San Francisco-based public finance start-up. He previously served on the Women's Center Board at UMKC, Planned Parenthood, and was the founding chairman for Mayor Sly James' Challenge Cabinet. Luke received a Bachelor of Science and Arts and an MBA from Rockhurst University where he was also recognized as the most outstanding student leader. Luke, his wife, and his daughter proudly live in the urban core of Kansas City - in Central Hyde Park.
Ms. Sapp joined Citizens in 2022-2023 as a Middle School Science teacher. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Global Studies from Missouri State University. Prior to joining us, she gained experience in community outreach, strategic planning, and project management through her work at a local church and the Kansas City Police Department.
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Governance Committee
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Diversity Committee
Ms. Beer joined Citizens in 2021-2022 as a Middle School Art Teacher and now serves as the K-8 Art Teacher. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Fine Art from the Kansas City Art Institute and is currently working on her Master of Arts in Education at UMKC. Prior to joining us, she worked as an Early Childhood Educator.
Mrs. Gardner joined Citizens in 2017-2018. She has a B.S. in Early Childhood Education from Iowa State University. Prior to joining us, Ms. Gardner had three years of experience in a preschool setting as a teacher and assistant director.
Job Titles:
- Special Education Instructional Assistant
Ms. Kenney joined Citizens in 2022-2023 as a Special Education Instructional Assistant. She holds an Associate of Applied Science degree in Fashion Design & Merchandising. Prior to joining us, Ms. Kenney served as a nanny for Kansas City area families and is passionate about collaborating with families of neurodiverse children to give them the tools they need to thrive.
Job Titles:
- Special Education Teacher
Ms. Benton joined the Citizens of the World staff in 2022-2023 as a Special Education Teacher. She holds a Master of Arts in Elementary Education from Southeast Missouri State University. Prior to joining us, Ms. Benton worked in district schools in Kansas City for ten years as a reading interventionist and special education teacher.
Job Titles:
- Special Education Related Services Coordinator
Ms. Caton joined the Citizens of the World staff in 2022-2023 as our Related Services Coordinator. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Special Education from the University of Central Missouri. Ms. Caton has 25 years of teaching experience in Kansas City area schools, serving as a paraprofessional, substitute teaching, and early childhood special education teacher.
Mr. Wahab joined Citizens in 2022-2023 as a counselor. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Marian University and a Master of Science in Educational Science from University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee. Prior to joining us at CWC, Mr. Wahab served in multiple coordinator roles at the Boys and Girls Club in Milwaukee, as well as oversaw programs at LINC in Kansas City.
Mr. Brennan joined the CWCKC team in October 2015, just prior to the school receiving its charter. Throughout the planning year (2015-16), Ryan worked closely with the build-out team to bring the vision of a bright, joyful campus staffed with an experienced and passionate educational team to fruition. Ryan supports the school in the areas of finance, recruitment/enrollment, human resources, school operations/administration, and strategic planning support. Ryan has also works closely with our Board, Sponsor, and Department of Education to ensure compliance across all areas of operations. Mr. Brennan earned an MBA from Colorado Christian University and a BS in Business Administration from Colorado State University, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude.
Job Titles:
- English & Language Arts Teacher
Ms. Safina joined the Citizens of the World staff in 2022-2023 as a Middle School ELA teacher. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Education and a Masters degree in Education Management and Administration, both from Makerere University of Uganda Kampala. She is a Montessori-trained teacher who has been working with students for more than 19 years.
Job Titles:
- Special Education Assistant
Mrs. Langford joined Citizens in 2020-2021 and is a Special Education Assistant. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Marketing from West Texas A&M. Prior to joining us, she spent the prior five years volunteering and assisting in local schools.
Job Titles:
- Director of Special Education
Ms. Nelson joined Citizens in 2016-2017 and leads our Special Education team. She has a B.A. from Kansas City Art Institute and an M.A. in Special Education from the University of Missouri - Kansas City. Across her 10-year career, she has worked with special needs students from Kindergarten through High School.
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Academic Excellence Committee
- Co - Chair of the Educational Equity Committee
- Secretary of the Board
- Director of Planning and Development
Selina Rios currently serves as the Director of Planning and Development in the Office of Equity at City Year. Ms. Rios has worked with City Year for more than eight years in Kansas City, Tulsa, and Cleveland. Within these roles, she has helped oversee the vision and implementation of City Year's instructional model, providing leadership in creating an equity strategy within the organization. Her focus on data-driven methods have allowed the organization to improve program effectiveness and academic growth for students.
In addition to her work with City Year, Ms. Rios also served as the President of the Young Latino Network while living in the Cleveland/Akron, Ohio area.
Ms. Shanell joined Citizens in 2020-2021 and is a 3rd grade teacher. She has a B.S. from Devry University in Technical Management. Ms. Shanell comes to us from an 18+ year career in Technology; prior to transitioning into teaching and after leaving IT, she worked as a lead STEM instructor for Engineering for Kids in Las Vegas. Ms. Shanell is currently a Teach for America Corps Member and is working towards a Masters in Elementary Education from the University of Missouri - St. Louis.
Job Titles:
- Coordinator - After - School
Ms. Keith joined Citizens in 2021-2022 and is now our Coordinator of After-School. She previously serviced as the Middle School Office Manager and Operations Assistant. Ms. Keith holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Services from Kansas State University. Prior to joining us, she had been a substitute in Manhattan, Kansas schools as well as a student success coach in an area Kansas City School.
Ms. Felder joined Citizens in 2021-2022 and is a 3rd grade teacher. She holds a B.S. in Business Management from the University of Phoenix and is pursuing her Master's in Elementary Education from Avila University. Prior to joining us, she has 20+ years' experience working with youth in roles including substitute teacher, paraeducator, tutor, before/after-school program director, and community outreach director of a non-profit organization.
Ms. Hankins joined the Citizens of the World team during the 2022-2023 school year as a Teaching Associate. She holds a Bachelors in Early Childhood Education from Park University and a Master of Arts in Adult Education. She has experience working with K-12 students as a tutor, as well as instructional experience teaching medical students in both Kansas and Missouri.
Job Titles:
- Coordinator - Technology & Platforms
Ms. Kidd joined Citizens in 2018-2019 and is now our Coordinator of Technology & Platforms, after serving as a 1st and 2nd grade teacher for 3 years. She has as B.S. in Elementary Education from Northwest Missouri State University. Before joining us, Ms. Kidd had two years of experience teaching 2nd Grade, Kindergarten, and Head Start in Kansas City district schools.
Mr. Butler joined Citizens in 2021-2022 and serves as the K-8 Principal. He holds B.A. degrees in General Students (Wichita State University) and Secondary Education-English (UMKC) and an M.A. in Educational Leadership from UMKC. Prior to joining us, Mr. Butler had twelve years of experience in middle and high schools, serving as a Teacher, Assistant Principal, Athletic Director, and Department Chair in other district schools throughout the Kansas City area.