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Education Rising

A professional development pipeline for urban educators

About Education Rising

There is a need to recruit and prepare greater numbers of teachers and leaders to effectively serve students facing challenging circumstances.

The Kauffman Foundation supports educators with a wide range of programs that give them a chance to innovate and improve techniques. By developing educators, especially underrepresented educators, we improve our regional success.

As a national philanthropic model, Education Rising uses strategic partnerships to build a network of support for a community of teachers and leaders. We recognize and celebrate educators for the lives they change every day.

Watch: “Education is Rising in Kansas City” | 1:55

K-12 education in Kansas City is transforming at its urban core. From welcoming innovative school models, to investing educators who can close the achievement gap for low-income children, Kansas City is embarking on system-wide change at all levels. What’s more: Kansas City is large enough to be a great place to live and small enough for educators at all levels to make a real difference, both in the lives of students and in the community as a whole.

The Kauffman Foundation is collaborating with organizations, educators, and community members to build a system of high-performing urban schools staffed by highly effective teachers and leaders to drive change. We need passionate leaders with great vision to continue raising the education standards in Kansas City. Inspired innovators who want to write the course of change. Pioneers who want to catalyze historic reform.

Our ultimate goal: Increase the percentage of students reaching academic and life outcomes that prepare them for success after high school.