Our Elementary School Team

We are proud to introduce our 2021-2022 Faculty & Staff!  

Diverse in terms of age, gender, ethnicity, and languages spoken, our faculty boasts:
  • Over 50% holding Master’s degrees
  • Over 50% having worked, lived, or studied extensively outside the United States (including countries such as:  Australia, Brazil, China, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, France, Holland, Italy, Kenya, Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru, Spain, & US Virgin Islands)
  • Classroom teachers with an average of 6+ years of classroom experience ​

SCHOOL LEADERSHIP

​Erika Gibbs
Dean of Primary School

Ms. Gibbs joined Citizens in 2016-2017 and is now the Dean of Primary School.  She has a B.S. from the University of St. Mary and an AMS Montessori Certification.  Across her education career, she has worked in several early childhood settings including specialized settings for supporting children experiencing trauma.

​Jamesetta Adkins
School Office Manager

Ms. Adkins 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. Adkins worked in Administrative Services for 11 years from the Greater KC YMCA to the Metropolitan Bar Association.  

FACULTY

Kindergarten Teachers

​Nicole Gardner

Mrs. Gardner joined Citizens in 2017-2018 and is now a Kindergarten teacher.  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.
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Katrina McCloud

Mrs. McCloud joined Citizens in 2019-2020 and is now a Kindergarten teacher.  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.

Maegan Petzoldt

Mrs. Petzoldt joined Citizens in 2021-2022 and is a Kindergarten teacher.  She holds a B.S. in Elementary Education from Northwest Missouri State University.  Prior to joining us, Mrs. Petzoldt had two years experience in a preschool setting as a teacher.

1st Grade Teachers

Dominique Betts

Ms. Betts joined Citizens in 2018-2019 and is now a 1st grade teacher. 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.

Jennifer Christensen

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.

Whitney Johnson

Ms. Johnson joined Citizens in 2019-2020 and is now a 1st grade teacher.  Ms. Johnson has a B.S. from Wichita St. University and an M.S. in Family Therapy from Friends University. Prior to joining us, Ms. Johnson had years of experience working with children in the Kansas City area including having served as a substitute teacher at Citizens.

2nd Grade Teachers

Calvin Davenport

Mr. Davenport joined Citizens in 2021-2022 and is now a 2nd 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.
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Tisha Kidd

Ms. Kidd joined Citizens in 2018-2019 and is now a 2nd grade teacher. 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.

Kerrie Schoen

Ms. Schoen joined Citizens in 2016-2017 and is now a 2nd grade teacher.  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.

3rd Grade Teachers

Sonya Felder

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.

Shanell Terry

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. 

Tamara Wolfe

Ms. Wolfe joined Citizens in 2020-2021 and is now a 3rd grade teacher. She has a B.A. in Urban Elementary Education from University of Missouri Kansas City and an AMI Montessori Certification. Prior to joining us, Ms. Wolfe had eight years of experience teaching at other Kansas City district and charter schools. In addition, she taught at the CDF Freedom Schools literacy and cultural enrichment program.

4th Grade Teachers

Katy Lineberry

Mrs. Lineberry joined Citizens in 2020-2021 and is a 4th grade teacher.  She has a M.A. in Education and a M.A. in Music from Truman State University. Before joining us, Mrs. Lineberry had 6 years of experience in district schools in both Florida and Missouri.

Laura Nowlin

Ms. Nowlin joined Citizens in 2020-2021 and is a 4th 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.

Kristen Wright

Ms. Wright joined Citizens in 2019-2020 and is now a 4th grade teacher.  She has a B.A. in Education from the University of Missouri - Kansas City. Before joining us, Ms. Wright had 15 years of experience in district, charter, and private schools in the Kansas City area.

5th Grade Teachers

Colin Gonzalez

Mr. Gonzalez joined Citizens in 2020-2021 and is a 5th grade teacher. He has a B.A. from the University of Arkansas and is a Teach for America Corps Member. Prior to joining us, Mr. Gonzalez worked as a substitute teacher in Arkansas, and assistant teacher in Texas, and a Delegation Leader with CISV International, leading and guiding middle school students at intercultural UN sponsored camps in Peru and Colombia.

Amber Parks

Ms. Parks joined Citizens in 2020-2021 and is a 5th grade teacher. She has a B.A. in Education from Nebraska Wesleyan University and an M.A. in Administration from University of Missouri Kansas City. Prior to joining us, Ms. Parks had 13 years of experience teaching at another charter school in Kansas City.

Latasha Roland

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.

Teaching Associates

Andrea Herron

Ms. Herron joined Citizens in 2018-2019 and is a Kindergarten Teaching Associate. She has an A.A. from Penn Valley MCC in Education and Child Growth and Development. Prior to joining us, Ms. Herron had over 20 years of experience working with children in a variety of settings including YMCA and Headstart.

Lori Jacob

Ms. Jacob joined Citizens in 2021-2022 and is a Kindergarten Teaching Associate.  She holds a Bachelor of General Students from the University of Kansas.  Prior to joining us, she has four years of experience as a ParaProfessional in Overland Park, KS and several years experience in a preschool setting.

TBA

Bio coming soon!

Instructional Specialists

Catherine Bett
Instructional Specialist - Mathematics

Mrs. Bett joined Citizens in 2016-2017 and is now a Mathematics Instructional Specialist for grades K-5.  She has a B.A. from Wheaton College and an M.S. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of New England. Prior to joining our team, she had four years of experience teaching in Kansas and in Lima, Peru. Ms. Bett is bilingual in English and Spanish and serves as the ELL Coordinator for Citizens.

Maile Newberry-Wortham
Instructional Specialist -         Reading

Mrs. Newberry-Wortham joined Citizens in 2018-2019 is now a Reading Instructional Specialist for grades 3-7.  She has a B.S. from Stephens College and an M.Ed. from the University of Missouri. Prior to joining us, she taught elementary school in Columbia Public Schools and in KCPS.

Casey Thomas
Instructional Specialist -         Reading

Mrs. Thomas joined Citizens in 2016-2017 and is now a Reading Instructional Specialist for grades K-2.  She has a B.A. from Winona State University and an M.A. in Elementary Education from University of Missouri St. Louis.  Ms. Thomas has played an active role in coordinating our assessment processes, supporting data collection, and in helping with scheduling for the campus.

Enrichment Teachers

Cynthia Gassen
PE Teacher

Coach Gassen joined Citizens in 2019-2020 and is the Physical Education Program Coordinator for grades K-7. Coach G brings 25 years of PE teaching experience across grades K-12 district and charter schools. She has a B.S. in Physical Education and Kinesiology from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor and an M.A. in ESL from the University of Kansas. 

Sara Kelly
Music Teacher

Ms. Kelly joined Citizens in 2021-2022 and is the Music Teacher.  She holds a B.M.E. in Music Education from the University of Kansas.  Prior to joining us, Ms. Kelly had five years experience as an elementary music teacher and 11 years experience as a secondary music teacher in Kansas and Arkansas public schools.

Keaton Krieger
Art Teacher

Ms. Krieger joined Citizens in 2021-2022 and is the Art Teacher.  She holds a B.S. in Education from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln and a Graduate Certificate in Art Education from the University of Wyoming - Laramie.  Prior to joining us, she had two years experience teaching art in a charter school in Boston, MA.

Rhonda Raglon
Computers,
K & 1st

Ms. Raglon joined Citizens in 2019-2020 and is now the Computer teacher for grades K-1st and supports our school as the ACE After School teacher at the Middle School. She earned her A.A. from MCC. Prior to joining us, Ms. Raglon spent 15 years substitute teaching for students in K-12th grade and 7 years as a special needs child advocate. 

Student Services Team

Mariah Friend
School Nurse

Ms. Friend joined Citizens in 2020-2021 and is the School Nurse. She has an B.S. in Nursing and Spanish from North Park University and is a licensed RN in the state of Missouri. Prior to joining us, Ms. Friend had 11 years of experience in other non-profit organizations including After the Harvest in Kansas City, Kingsley Pines Camp in Maine, and St. Luke’s East Health System.

Lori Grove
Health Aide

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.

Ashley Huggans
Behavior Coach

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.

Tu'fanza Byrd-Primos
Family Support Social Worker

Ms. Byrd-Primos joined Citizens in 2020-2021 and is the Family Support Social Worker.  She holds an MBA from Webster University and is a Certified Mediator from the Center for Conflict Resolution.  Prior to joining our team, Ms. Byrd-Primos worked for 13 years in the non-profit and education sectors. 

Dorothea Bradley
Special Education Teacher

Ms. Bradley joined Citizens in 2018-2019 and is now a Special Education teacher for grades K-5. She has a B.S. in Education from University of Central Missouri State and two M.A. degrees, one in Special Education from the University of Kansas and the other in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of St. Mary’s. Prior to joining us, Ms. Bradley received multiple accolades including Teacher of the Year, Kauffman Young Entrepreneur, nominated for Disney Teacher of the Year as well as being a Special Olympics Coach for 17 years. Ms. Bradley is pleased to be working at Citizens along with her twin sister, Ms. Page.

Paola Dominguez
Special Education Teacher

Ms. Dominguez joined Citizens in Summer 2021 and is a Special Education Teacher.  She holds a B.A. in Applied Behavioral Science/Early Childhood Autism and is pursuing her M.A. in Special Education (ABA) from Arizona State University.  She is also a Registered Behavior Technician.  Prior to joining us, she had four years experience in a private setting implementing ABA services.

Dorothy Page
Special Education Teacher

Ms. Page joined Citizens in 2018-2019 and is now a Special Education teacher for grades K-5.  She has a B.S. in Education from University of Central Missouri State and two M.A. degrees, one in Special Education from the University of Kansas and the other in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of St. Mary’s. Prior to joining us, Ms. Page received multiple accolades including Teacher of the Year, Kauffman Young Entrepreneur, nominated for Disney Teacher of the Year as well as being a Special Olympics Coach for 17 years. Ms. Page is pleased to be working at Citizens along with her twin sister, Ms. Bradley.

Josh Barnett
Special Education ParaProfessional/RBT

Mr. Barnett joined Citizens in 2021-2022 as a Special Education ParaProfessional / Registered Behavior Technician.  He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social Science from Union College in Lincoln Nebraska.  Prior to joining us, he had two years of experience working at ABA clinics in Lincoln, NE and in the Kansas City area.

Oscar Gutierrez
Special Education ParaProfessional

Mr. Gutierrez joined Citizens in 2021-2022 and is a Special Education ParaProfessional.  He holds a B.A. in Spanish Language from the University of Missouri - Kansas City.  Prior to joining us, he had two years experience as a ParaProfessional in Kansas City, Kansas district schools.

Antoinette Harrington
Special Education ParaProfessional

Ms. Harrington joined Citizens in 2017-2018 and is now a Special Education ParaProfessional.  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.

Emily Joyce
Special Education ParaProfessional/RBT

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.

Sara Langford
Special Education
Assistant

Mrs. Langford joined Citizens in 2020-2021 and is a Special Education Assistant.  She holds a B.A. in Business Marketing from West Texas A&M.  Prior to joining us, she spent the prior five years volunteering and assisting in local schools.

PJ Ruth
Related Services Coordinator & Verbal Behavior Specialist

Ms. Ruth joined Citizens in 2018-2019 and is a Special Education paraprofessional and the Related Service Coordinator & Verbal Behavior Specialist. Prior to joining us, Ms. Ruth had three years of experience as a lead teacher in an Infant/Toddler classroom for special needs students.

After-School & Support Staff

Beth
Brennan
After-School Assistant
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Cordell
Brooks
Daytime Custodian
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Rose
Denk
After-School Team
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Wasiba
Hamad
After-School Team
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Ashley
Harrison
Meals Team
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Lashonda
Mason
After-School Team
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Carla
McGee
After-School Team
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Alicia
Partida
After-School Team
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Nikola
Ranick
Meals Team
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Maria
Valenzuela
Meals Team
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Danielle
Westcott
Substitute Teacher
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Simone
Wilson
Meals Team
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Clara
Zuniga
Daytime Custodian
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Partners on Campus

Olivia Kirkendall
Literacy Lab Tutor

Nikola Ranick
Literacy Lab Tutor
Get to know the rest of our school community: