Our mission is to partner with our community to prepare and support exemplary teachers for richly diverse schools in Kansas City.

The Challenge

America’s teacher shortage has reached a critical stage, with schools scrambling to find qualified, committed teachers to fill essential roles. Knowing that a teacher’s performance improves dramatically in their first five years in the classroom, teacher turnover is also a chronic concern of school administrators. These issues are even more crucial in schools serving traditionally underserved populations or those with high poverty rates.

Why we exist

The Institute for Urban Education addresses racial disparities and educational inequities through the preparation and support of exemplary teachers for richly diverse schools in Kansas City. The presence of effective, committed, culturally aware, and diverse teachers is the most significant factor for increasing student achievement.

Together, we can:

Prepare teachers for long-term success teaching in urban schools