Teach For America

Spotlight on one of our school partners - Kansas City International Academy. KCIA tried out a new concept this year, called Learning Pods. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, many of their students are learning through a virtual platform. KCIA created learning pods to allow students to come into the building to virtually learn on their computer, while being supervised by trained KCIA staff members. These students still learn virtually with a virtual teacher, but receive meals, reliable internet, and additional support. KCIA has found these learning pods to be very helpful to many students during this tough time.

TFAKCFam, Like many of you, we are feeling the confusion, shock, and heartbreak at what unfolded at the United States Capitol, as well as in Topeka and at various state capitols, and we hope each of you is staying safe. Our DC Region has ensured the safety of our fellow Corps Members, Alumni and Staff across the city and while we may not have heard the sirens near our homes yesterday, we wanted to check in with you. We recognize that how we react in this moment will be watch...ed by our students and young people across our nation. How we show up matters. Part of showing up is ensuring that you are able to take care of yourself at this moment. Please be sure to leverage our wellness and mental health guide and remain in communication with our team and Network about what you need at this moment. We know that many of you have already engaged in conversations to help your students learn about current events and create space for students to make their own meaning of them. We know that these conversations are not always easy, despite how critical they are. We’ve included some teaching resources in the comments below. One powerful approach is to create space for your students to lead and facilitate the dialogue. We’re all experiencing this moment together. On Wednesday, January 13th, at 6pm, we will have an informal processing space for all members of our Network to connect with your peers as you think about the coming days. During that time we will have optional break-out rooms to discuss the following themes (though night of, if you have additional ideas we will create the space): Taking care of yourself Talking with and teaching students Talking with your children at home You can find the link to join the processing space in the Corps Member and Alumni blasts. Amidst this uncertainty, shock and sadness we know that our TFAKCFAM has been and will continue to be there for one another as we work toward One Day. In Partnership, -Julie Gronquist-Blodgett Deputy Executive Director, Teach For America Kansas City

USA Softball of Kansas City in search of someone to manage their social media pages. Current needs: - Preferably a high school or college student - Managing posting 2-3 times per week - $50 weekly stipend... If interested, please email [email protected] See more

School and system level leaders are a critical lever in impacting the outcomes for our kids. They have the profound impact of being able to both positively influence students directly and create the institutional conditions that make schools and systems more equitable at scale. School and system leaders who identify as Native/Indigenous and people of color have a particularly crucial role in the quest for educational equity and Teach For America’s network of school and systems leaders is representationally more diverse than the national average. Though we can't convene in person this year, we will seek to provide a virtual space for Native/Indigenous and leaders of color to access strong professional development, and inspire and connect with one another in a space not found elsewhere in the educational ecosystem.

Last Saturday, Jonathan Briggs, The Collective DC Co-Chair and a 2013 Teach For America - Kansas City Corps Member, delivered packaged food items to elderly, lo...w-income, and immobile individuals with Food For All DC. Jonathan realizes that, especially now, food insecurity is a particular issue for individuals and families that have faced persistent poverty, and for low-income families that have been devastated by the pandemic. He believes that food security is an essential right and that his service can increase the likelihood of individuals and families that may not have the means, or that aren't able-bodied, to be able to have access to a consistent and reliable food source. Way to go, Jonathan! Join Jonathan in #CollectiveDCServes before December 31 for a chance to win an in-kind donation equivalent to $100 for your favorite charity. For details, see https://bit.ly/2Ll3u1j.

We're so thankful for the generosity of our friends at Sohaila's Kitchen!

The work ahead will not be easy, but a new administration offers the opportunity to bring about fundamental change in pursuit of equity for our children. https://bit.ly/3nkQ3fR

Tonight at 5 pm - join our network for a free professional development with Kansas Leadership Center. Sometimes it might feel that only those with formal authority have the power to lead substantive change. We believe it's not that simple. Informal Authority - is a person’s capacity to mobilize others purposefully around adaptive challenges, regardless of their formal role. Whatever your degree of Formal or Informal Authority, that is ultimately all you have for making progress on Adaptive Challenges and ultimately leading meaningful change towards your goals. Join Kansas Leadership Center to explore how you can expand your informal authority to make more progress on the stuff you care about. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/driving-change-from-any-positi

For those planning to vote, you should check your polling location as these may change given Covid-19. Below are links to check out where your voting location is: https://www.kceb.org/voters/status/ https://myvoteinfo.voteks.org/VoterView

Open to all KC high school students!

This fall and early winter, TFA is bringing together practitioners and organizations innovating in the distance learning space to support and help educators learn, grow, and lead in the current teaching environment. Learn more about the series at https://www.teachforamerica.org/what-were-learning-about-di

We're Live for our Fireside Chat! Feel free to send us a Direct Message with any questions for our panelists!

We're going Live at 4:30 today for our Fireside Chat: Health Edition! Learn more about one of today's panelists, Cassandra McKenzie, below! Cassandra McKenzie is a proud member of the Baltimore 2006 TFA corps where she taught middle school science and simultaneously earned her Masters of Arts in Teaching from Johns Hopkins. She went on to earn her dental degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago and then pursued her Certificate in Periodontics as well as a Masters in Oral and Craniofacial Sciences from the University of Missouri - Kansas City. Dr. McKenzie is board certified in periodontology and dental implant surgery, serving the Kansas City area. She married her TFA sweetheart and they have the most amazingly ridiculous toddlers together.

Join us this Wednesday at 4:30pm on Facebook Live for our next Fireside Chat, focused on health! Learn more about our panelists below and head to our Instagram to submit questions you’d like to hear them discuss! Jon Hile: Jon is the Executive Director of Citizens of the World Charter School in Kansas City and is the former Board chair of the Kansas City Public Schools. Elizabeth Kaufman: A 2008 TFA-KC charter corps member, Elizabeth is a clinically licensed mental health the...rapist and the owner of Elizabeth Kaufman Therapy where she specializes in trauma, anxiety, and couples issues. Cassandra McKenzie: Cassandra, a 2006 Baltimore TFA alumna, now serves the Kansas City area as a board certified periodontist.

SCHOLARSHIP REGISTRATIONS OPEN NOW! https://www.mcdonalds.com/us/en-us/community/hacer.html #nationalscholarship #latinxstudents #latinxteachers #hacermas

Our history predates any discovery of this land. Our people have been here since time immemorial. I am so grateful for this chance to work towards decolonizing our education and celebrating our history. - WaziHanska Cook, Head of @TFA_Native Today we recognize, acknowledge, and honor #IndigenousPeoplesDay. If you haven’t already, we encourage you to take this time to learn more about how our schools can support and advocate for Indigenous educators and students.