Our Middle School Team

SCHOOL LEADERSHIP

Alisha Gripp
​Dean of Middle School

Ms. Gripp joined Citizens in 2018-2019 and is the Dean of Middle School. She has a B.S. in English Education from Northwest Missouri State University and an M.S. and Ed.S. in Administration from the University of Central Missouri. Prior to joining us, Ms. Gripp was Associate Principal in the Shawnee Mission School District; Assistant Principal at William Chrisman High School in Independence, MO, and an English teacher and coach at Raytown South High School. 

Shannon Keith
Office Manager & Operations Asst.

Ms. Keith joined Citizens in 2021-2022 as the Middle School Office Manager and Operations Assistant.  She holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Services from Kansas State University.  Prior to joining us, she had been a substitute in Manhattan, KS schools as well as a student success coach in an area Kansas City School.

Emily Bodfish
Roots Coordinator

Ms. Bodfish joined Citizens in 2019-2020 and is the middle school Roots Coordinator.  She has a B.A. in Mathematics and Secondary Education and an M.S. in Mental Health Counseling.  Prior to joining us Ms. Bodfish had over 10 years of experience teaching at an Expeditionary Learning school in Northern Colorado, a trauma-sensitive school in the Denver area, and a high school on the Hopi Reservation in AZ.  

FACULTY

Core Subject Faculty

Becky Brents

Ms. Brents joined Citizens in 2019-2020 and is a Math teacher.  She holds B.A. degrees in Sociology and Criminal Justice from MidAmerica Nazarene University in Olathe, KS.  She received her teaching certificate from Avila University.  Prior to joining us, Ms. Brents had five years of experience as a middle school math teacher in Gardner Edgerton and Shawnee Mission School Districts.  She also spent time in South Korea teaching English. 


Forest Kirkpatrick

Mr. Kirkpatrick joined Citizens in 2021-2022 as a  Math teacher.  He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry with a minor in math and a Master of Arts in Educational Psychology from Wichita State University.  Prior to joining us, he taught middle school math and science in Jamestown, MO and was an adjunct professor at WSU Technical College.

Troy Butler

Mr. Butler joined Citizens in 2021-2022 and is an English Language Arts teacher and Director of Strategic Initiatives.  He holds B.A. degrees in General Students (Wichita State University) and Secondary Education-English (UMKC) and an M.A. in Educational Leadership from UMKC.  Prior to joining us, Mr. Butler had twelve years of experience in middle and high schools, serving as a Teacher, Assistant Principal, Athletic Director, and Department Chair in other district schools throughout the Kansas City area.

Joel Nkusi Rwabera

Mr. Nkusi joined Citizens in 2019-2020 and is a  Courses teacher.  He has a B.A. in Intercultural Studies from Global University in Springfield, MO and an M.A. from Relay Graduate School of Education in New York City.  Prior to joining us, Mr. Nkusi had two years of experience teaching middle school English & Language Arts and History in New York City district and charter schools.  He was born in Rwanda and lived in five different countries before moving to the United States.  French is his first language.  During the 2020-2021 school year, Mr. Nkusi became a  Teach for America KC Green Fellow.

Lauren Donovan

Ms. Donovan joined Citizens in 202-2021 and is an English Language Arts teacher.  She has a B.A. in Secondary English Education from University of Missouri Kansas City and an M.A. in Educational Leadership from Northwest Missouri State University. Prior to joining us, Ms. Donovan had five years of experience teaching middle and high school in other district and charter schools in Kansas City.



Erin Wilmore

Ms. Wilmore joined Citizens in 2020-2021 and is a Courses teacher. She has a B.S. in Education from Jackson State University and a M.S. in Education Administration from University of Missouri Kansas City. Prior to joining us, Ms. Wilmore had four years of teaching experience at another Kansas City charter school.

Enrichment Teachers

Lacey Hawkinson
Art

Ms. Hawkinson joined Citizens in 2021-2022 and is the Middle School Art Teacher.  She holds a BFA in Film Production from The Kansas City Art Institute.  Prior to joining us, she has been a substitute and Extended Day Coordinator at a local private school.

Kai Manning
Music

Ms. Manning joined Citizens in 2020-2021 and is now the Middle School Music teacher. She has an inter-disciplinary Bachelors with an emphasis on Music Education.  Prior to joining us, Ms. Manning had three years of classroom experience - both in another Kansas City charter school as well as a district elementary school.

Mandy Kilgore
PE

Ms. Kilgore joined Citizens in 2021-2022 as a Middle School PE Teacher.  She holds a Bachelor of Science in Health from the University of Missouri - Kansas City.

Student Services

Ever Fierro

Mr. Fierro joined Citizens in 2019-2020 and is a Special Education teacher. He has a B.A. from the University of Connecticut and an M.A. in Special Education from Relay Graduate School of Education. Prior to joining us, Mr. Fierro had three years of experience as a Special Education teacher in Brooklyn, NY.   Mr. Fierro is bilingual in English and Spanish

After-School Staff

Rhonda Raglon

"Miss R" joined Citizens in 2018-2019 and is excited to be a part of the CWCKC community. She earned her Associates of Arts degree from MCC before diving into a career dedicated to serving others and putting people first. Part of that career includes over 15 years teaching students K-12th grade including 7 years  as a special needs child advocate. Rhonda lives in Kansas City and loves to travel.
Get to know the the rest of our school community: