Eight students begin teaching in urban school districts in the fall

The University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) School of Education’s Institute for Urban Education (IUE) today announced the signing of contracts between its first eight graduates and the Kansas City, Mo., Kansas City, Kan. and Hickman Mills school districts.

The contract signing will take place at 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Thursday, May 28, at the UMKC Pierson Auditorium, 5000 Rockhill Road.

In exchange for a commitment to teach for four years in one of the partner districts, the IUE program provides four-year scholarships to the students. The graduates, who received bachelor of arts degrees in elementary education on May 9, will teach at the following schools in the fall.

Kansas City, Kan. Public Schools:

Destiny Byers – Quindaro Elementary

Emily Hohendorf – McKinley Elementary

Britney Sanders – New Chelsea Elementary

Kansas City, Mo.:

Garfield or Garcia Elementary

Alexandra Clayton

Teonna Lee

Janita Butler

Hickman Mills School District:

Asha Glover and Joanna Rieg – Dobbs Elementary

“Research indicates that teacher quality is the single most important variable affecting student achievement,” said Ed Underwood, executive director of IUE. “The IUE graduates are well-prepared, highly qualified and have a passion to help students achieve the high academic standards necessary to become productive members of society. They will make a positive difference in the lives of their students.”

The IUE program is a nationally-recognized model for urban teacher preparation – the first of its kind in the U.S. It includes strong math, science and literacy preparation; 1,400 hours of field experience working in urban schools; and an introduction to issues of social justice and multicultural learning styles.

The students also benefit from The Chancellor’s National IUE Advisory Board, which contributes to the success of the IUE program. It includes national experts in the field of urban education, who share their expertise on the current state of urban education nationally.

The University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC), one of four University of Missouri campuses, is a public university serving more than 14,000 undergraduate, graduate and professional students. UMKC engages with the community and economy based on a four-part mission: life and health sciences; visual and performing arts; urban issues and education; and a vibrant learning and campus life experience.