Lighting the Way

We Lit the Way.

Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, alumni, and community partners, Lighting the Way was a tremendous success. Together, we celebrated the impact of the Institute for Urban Education and reaffirmed our shared commitment to preparing outstanding educators for Kansas City classrooms. We are deeply grateful to everyone who joined us, supported us, and continues to invest in the future of our students and schools. Help us keep the momentum going by supporting the next generation of IUE educators.

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Guests at the Lighting the Way event engage in conversation and laughter during a reception at the Zhou B Art Center.

Event Highlights

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Celebrating the Legacy of IUE

Thank You to Our Sponsors

We are grateful to our sponsors whose generosity made Lighting the Way possible and continues to support the mission of the Institute for Urban Education.

Presenting Sponsor

Sherman Family Foundation 

Platinum  

Patty and Jerry Reece Family Foundation
The Reel Family Scholarship  

Gold 

Ann Baum – G. Kenneth and Ann Baum Philanthropic Fund 
Dee and Dave Dillon Family Fund
Christine and Ford Maurer 
Robert D. and Ann Regnier 
UMKC School of Education, Social Work and Psychological Sciences

Silver 

Anna and Curran Darling
The DeBruce Foundation
Dr. Linda Edwards, Dean and Professor Emerita
Dean Sara R. Helfrich and Dr. Christopher Hayes
VanTrust Real Estate 

Bronze 

Dr. Loyce Caruthers, Professor Emerita
The Ellis Foundation
Kansas City Public Schools
Betsey and Rick Solberg
UMKC Conservatory
UMKC School of Science and Engineering
Dr. Jennifer Waddell 
Dr. Terry and Linda Ward 

Continue Lighting the Way

Your Gift Supports

Grow Your Own Program
Developing teachers from our local schools

Student Scholarships
Reducing financial barriers for future educators

IUE Seminars 
Specialized preparation for urban classrooms

IUE in the Community
Partnerships that strengthen Kansas City

New Teacher Support
Personalized mentoring for early career teachers

Professional Development
Ongoing learning opportunities for practicing IUE educators

Giving Levels and Your Impact

$100 – Supports learning materials and seminar resources
for future educators

$500 – Strengthens professional preparation through seminars
and workshops

$1,000 – Provides meaningful scholarship assistance
for aspiring teachers

$2500 – Expands community-based learning experiences
in urban schools

$5,000 – Invests significantly in the development of future
urban leaders

$25,000 – Creates transformational scholarship opportunities
for future teachers

Make a Gift