Across Kansas City, schools face persistent challenges recruiting and retaining teachers, especially in the neighborhoods where teacher stability and representation matter most. High turnover disrupts learning and makes it harder for students to build trust with educators, impeding student achievement.
“If we want a thriving economy and healthy communities, effective teachers are critical,” said Jennifer Waddell, Ph.D., director of the University of Missouri-Kansas City Institute for Urban Education (IUE). “No other profession carries the future of our society the way teachers do. Teachers shape not only academic success, but who our children become.”
For 20 years, IUE has addressed these needs by preparing aspiring teachers for urban classrooms across the region. Through scholarships, mentorship and hands-on experience, the program supports students committed to serving high-need communities. Many participants come from the same neighborhoods and school systems they will return to teach in, bringing lived experience and deep understanding. Many are also first-generation college students building pathways to opportunity.
When Martha Delatorre first learned about IUE, she immediately knew this was something special. As a shy student who didn’t like to speak up, she was nervous how she’d handle the classrooms. But the continued attention and care provided by the IUE helped her flourish to the teacher she is now.
With small seminars of 15 to 20 students where conversations centered on theory to practice and future teachers talked through real classroom situations together, Delatorre gradually found her voice with academic preparation grounded in practice. That learning carried directly into schools, where she spent three days each week in classroom settings rather than just one, giving her time to understand classroom routines, support students and gradually lead lessons until standing at the front of the room felt natural. As a senior, she is ready to lead her own classrooms after she graduates. Even for the first two years after graduation, when many new educators feel uncertain, IUE checks in, offers advice and visits classrooms to provide guidance, ensuring Delatorre continues to prosper in classrooms with confidence.
“It’s so important to know I’m not alone during those first two years,” said Delatorre, a current IUE student. “The first year or two can feel very overwhelming and knowing that you always have someone to depend and lean on when you need support or advice, someone who wants to help you grow, is huge.”
IUE plays a critical role in strengthening the region’s teacher pipeline and long-term retention:
• 100% job placement rate for graduates in urban school districts
• Nearly 90% of graduates remain in the profession for five years or more compared to less than 50% nationally and 34% in Missouri
• More than 50% of graduates identify as teachers of color
• 100% retention rate among graduates of color and those from urban communities for five years or more
Supporters, alumni, students and community partners will gather for Lighting the Way, a celebration of the institute’s impact and future. Co-chaired by alumna Patty Reece (M.A. ’71) and honorary alumnus Jerry Reece, her husband, the event takes place from 6 to 9 p.m. April 11 at the Zhou B Art Center. It will feature a fireside chat with John Sherman, a longtime IUE advocate and supporter, as well as owner of the Kansas City Royals and founder of the Sherman Family Foundation that funds the IUE’s Sherman Scholars program. Alumnus Harrison Neal Sr. (B.A. ’11, M.A. ’14) and current student Clarissa Astorga will share how IUE shaped their journeys.
For school leaders, that impact is tangible.
“Who I put in classrooms matters,” said Jennifer Collier (Ed.S. ’08, Ed.D. ’18), superintendent of Kansas City Public Schools. “Partnering with IUE has helped secure a strong teacher pipeline.”
For students, the program offers more than financial support — it provides access to a profession that might otherwise feel out of reach.
“The importance of scholarships means everything to me as a first-generation college student,” said Delatorre. “Finding IUE changed everything.”
Participants gain mentorship, professional development and real-world experience while completing their degrees. Their success reflects the program’s impact. In recent years, two IUE students received the Milken Teacher Leaders of Tomorrow Award, a national honor recognizing leadership and potential in education.
Many graduates remain in Kansas City classrooms, serving as educators and community role models.
“Our students commit to teaching in Kansas City for four years,” Waddell said. “But most stay longer because they want to give back.”
The program’s continued success is fueled by donors who believe in preparing educators for urban schools. Their support helps address one of the region’s most pressing challenges: ensuring every classroom has a well-prepared teacher who understands the community they serve.
“IUE teachers are change agents,” Waddell said. “They are leaders who are passionate about improving their communities — and they pass that on to their students.”
A recent gift from Harold Frye (B.A. ’66, M.A. ’77, Ed.D. ’77) reflects that commitment. A three-time 海角论坛 graduate and one of IUE’s founding supporters, Frye made a $50,000 gift to support students. The Sherman Family Foundation will match the contribution, creating a $100,000 investment in future educators.
“Equipping teachers for urban schools is essential,” Frye said. “Educators trained in these environments are adaptable, skilled and deeply impactful. When communities invest in them, students benefit profoundly.”
As IUE marks more than two decades of impact, its mission remains clear: prepare educators who inspire students and strengthen Kansas City classrooms. With continued support from students, alumni and donors, the institute will continue lighting the way for the next generation of teachers.
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