The mission of Show Me KC Schools: To empower families on their educational journey by providing vital information about their school options, inspiring school pride, and increasing access to free public education across the KC Metro area.
The vision of Show Me KC Schools: That all systems work for Kansas City families and community members have confidence in their school options.
Our burning questions: We approach our work guided by the principles of equity and transparency. In all that we do, we ask: Is it transparent? Does it work for families?
Our Core Values:
Meet Our Staff
At Show Me KC Schools we are very lucky to have an outstanding team supporting the families of Kansas City. We are proud Kansas Citians and are thrilled to be living in this great city. Between us we have children learning and thriving across KCPS neighborhood and signature schools, as well as charter schools. We know first-hand how important it is to know your options when it comes to our educational landscape and we are dedicated to helping you find a great school for your child just like we have.
Leslie Kohlmeyer
Executive Director
Leslie Kohlmeyer
“I chose the ‘art alley’ in the Crossroads as my iconic Kansas City location because I love seeing all the creative energy being displayed across our city and the ability for these artists to express their political opinions, fear, and hopes for our city.”
Leslie Kohlmeyer has lived and worked in KC most of her life. She has been watching as the city has shifted and shaped itself into one of the most beautiful, culturally significant, and family-friendly cities in which to build a future. Leslie has three great kids and has made the Historic Northeast her home for over 20 years. She is excited to share that passion for equity in educational options with all families across the city that she loves.
Danielle Dispenza
Director of School Navigation
Danielle Dispenza
“To say that the Kansas City Public Library system is an essential resource for me is an understatement. That is why I chose the Central Branch parking garage as my iconic Kansas City landmark. The individuals there have played an integral role in supporting me as a parent, from storytimes to lifelong friendships, I am forever grateful.”
Danielle Dispenza is a Kansas City area native who has lived in KCMO for over 14 years with her family. Prior to staying home to raise their two children, Danielle received her Child Development Associate Certificate through the Family Conservancy and worked for 12 years in early childhood and elementary special education. During her time as a paraprofessional in two local school districts Danielle worked one on one with students with special needs to provide them the best and most inclusive educational experience. Danielle spent 8 years providing home health care services for families of children with developmental and medical disabilities. An avid volunteer, Danielle is a mentor with Kansas City Public Schools District. When not working or volunteering Danielle and her family enjoy hiking and camping especially within the National Parks.
Nina Ward
Director of Programs and Events
Nina Ward
“I chose the Gem Theater on 18th and Vine as my iconic Kansas City location because the Gem Theater is a staple in my personal history and the history of the black community in Kansas City. That history symbolizes creativity, pride, & community-all things that ignite my passion for serving Kansas City.”
Nina Ward is a lifelong resident of Kansas City, Missouri, and a graduate of Paseo Academy of the Fine & Performing Arts High School. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Central Missouri, where she studied Sociology and minored in Child and Family Development. Nina is currently pursuing her Masters of Business Administration from the University of Missouri Kansas City’s prestigious Bloch School. Prior to her role at SMKCS, Nina worked at a local charter school, and in the Jackson County child welfare system.
In addition to investing in and developing communities and people, Nina is interested in coordinating collective community improvement efforts. In her free time, you can find Nina delving into a good book or podcast and spending time with her husband and daughter.
Sheyvette Dinkens
Director of SchoolApp
Sheyvette Dinkens
“A hidden gem within historic Northeast; Cliff Drive is my iconic Kansas City landmark. A perfect trail for a quick bike ride and a jaw dropping view of the northern portion of the KC metro with the Carl J. DiCapo Fountain as the backdrop.”
Sheyvette Dinkens hails from Liberal, KS, but has called the Kansas City Metro home for the past 7 years. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice and a minor in Human Services from Washburn University, a Master of Business Administration from Baker University, and a Master’s degree in Secondary Education from Fort Hays University.
Ms. Dinkens has received many honors and awards, including being inducted into the Hall of Fame at Seward County Community College and Leadership Kansas, winning the 2023 Wyandotte High School Teacher of the Year Award, Arvest Bank Teacher Award, 2021 InnovateHER Educator of the Year, YES She Can Awardee, Nominated CommUNITY Volunteer of the Year by United Way of Greater Kansas City, and Fox 4 Pay it Forward recipient. She was named Women Who Rock by Seveneightfive Magazine, Woman of Excellence by the YWCA, Topeka Top 20 Under 40, and is an alumnus of Leadership 2000 and Leadership of Greater Topeka.
Ms. Dinkens is a published author, a community advocate, a licensed real estate agent, an innovative thinker and doer, and an award-winning educator. Ms. Dinkens is an avid reader and international traveler who embraces experience as she walks with purpose and faith.
Parent Advisory Board
As an organzation created for families by families, we continue to engage parents and guardians on the quality of services that Show Me KC Schools’ provides.
Christina Anderson
Christina Anderson
Christina Anderson, a proud Kansas City native, is a dedicated healthcare professional and single mother
to a vibrant five-year-old son who is beginning his kindergarten journey this year. Recently completing
her studies at PLTIKC, Christina continues to channel her passion for early education and childcare
advocacy. She serves on the board at MARC, focusing on Early Education and Childcare, while also being
part of the esteemed Cohort 3 Fellowship with Kids Win MO. Christina is excited to bring her expertise
and enthusiasm to the 2024-2025 board, where she looks forward to making an impact.
Melissa Funaro
Melissa Funaro
Melissa Funaro is a parent and wife, originally from California but now rooted in Kansas City. She has a passion for blending her educational expertise with hands-on support for families. Her work focuses on empowering parents through advocacy and education, ensuring that they have the tools and knowledge needed to foster their family and children’s growth and development. A proud graduate of Kansas University, Melissa is also an alumna of PLTI KC Cohort 5, where she honed her skills in leadership and advocacy.
Outside of her professional life, Melissa is actively involved with her children’s school and school district, an avid reader and a fan of reality TV. She finds joy in advocating for children, the pages of a good book and the drama of her favorite shows. Her diverse interests and experiences reflect a well-rounded approach to life and work, making her a vibrant and insightful contributor to the advocacy and education community.
DiaShae Hargrove
DiaShae Hargrove
Coming soon…
Ebony Hart
Ebony Hart
Coming Soon…
Ron Hynum
Ron Hynum
Ron Hynum is the parent of three 11-year-old children enrolled in the KC Public School
system, who are currently attending a charter school in the mid-town area.
Ron works remotely for the California Association of Marriage & Family Therapists as
the Managing Director, Finance & Operations. He has more than 30 years’ experience
in the not-for-profit accounting field, and once was a self-employed entrepreneur.
Ron and his family moved to Kansas City in 2020 from San Diego, California. He and
his partner Kevin have navigated the foster care and adoptive care arena and are still
navigating the IEP & 504 worlds for their 3 children.
When he’s not traveling for work, Ron enjoys tending their flower gardens, and
spending time with the kids and the three family dogs.
Michelle Mitchell
Michelle Mitchell
Coming soon…
Akeyla Walker
Akeyla Walker
Coming soon…
Amanda Walker-Jackson
Amanda Walker-Jackson
Coming Soon…
Meet Our Board Members
Nicole Collier White, CNP
Interim Board President
Nicole Collier White, CNP
Nicole Collier White joined Kansas City Public Schools (KCPS) in January 2011. Currently, she serves as the Director of the Kansas City Public Schools Education Foundation where, she works to enrich and enhance the educational experience of all KCPS students by providing financial support and other resources to supplement district-wide programs and activities.
Nicole’s career has focused on community development in the public, private and non-profit sectors. She currently serves on the Advisory Board for WIN for KC, KC Rising: Diversity and Inclusion Task Force, and Big Brother Big Sisters Kansas City.
Collier White received a Bachelor of Arts degree from William Jewell College in Nonprofit Leadership and a minor in Entrepreneurial Leadership in the spring of 2010, she just joined the WJC Alumni Board of Governors in 2017 with the intention of increasing diversity enrollment on campus.
Tricia Johnson
Secretary
Tricia Johnson
“As a parent, I see tremendous momentum building among parents, eager to seek out great schools and recognizing their capacity to help improve and create quality schools in every neighborhood.”
Tricia Johnson has taught middle school in Chicago and internationally. Originally from Southern California, Tricia earned her master’s degree from Teachers College, Columbia University, and worked in Indonesia in support of post-tsunami development before moving to Kansas City in 2009. In seeking a school for their two children, Tricia realized that many KC parents were struggling to find answers to their school-related questions and ended up moving from the city. Tricia founded Show Me KC Schools to help parents find the right information and the right school for their child, right here in Kansas City. In 2020, Tricia joined United Way of Greater Kansas City as their Director of Education Initiatives and is pleased to watch the continuous growth of Show Me KC Schools as a board member. Tricia enjoys jogs on the Trolley Trail, rousing games of UNO with her children, and discovering Kansas City’s many great neighborhoods.
Julie Steenson
Treasurer
Julie Steenson
Julie Steenson is co-founder of PorchLight Insights, a data and performance consulting firm based in Kansas City. Her work centers on helping organizations achieve positive and human-centered outcomes by using data. Prior to launching PorchLight Insights, Julie spent sixteen years working in local government for the City of Kansas City, Missouri in various roles. In 2011, she helped launch Kansas City’s DataKC program, where she built successful data and performance systems and led employee engagement and empowerment initiatives. Julie also served as Kansas City Parks and Recreations’ Chief Financial Officer and as the city’s Strategic and Capital Plan coordinator. Outside of work, Julie is an active volunteer in the Kansas City community and spends most of her free time at middle school orchestra concerts, sitting on her porch with family and friends, or biking around her neighborhood. Julie is a graduate of the University of Evansville and the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University.
Cornell Ellis
Board Member
Cornell Ellis
Cornell Ellis is a native to Kansas City and is a product of a diverse Kansas City public and private education. After graduating from Rockhurst High School he played football at the University of Missouri-Columbia for two seasons. While in college, Cornell began his passion for education and justice. He became the Director at Boys and Girls Club Teen Center in Columbia, MO, while also managing curriculum for trauma informed English Language Arts practices at Roosevelt University in Chicago, IL. Cornell received his Bachelors of Arts in History from Avila University with a specialization in Ancient World Studies. After graduating, Cornell taught, managed, instructional coached and worked in administrative duties for 8 years. Through his teaching success he was able to participate in and lead advanced professional development opportunities like the National Academy of Advanced Teacher Education (NAATE) and Better Lessons Master Teacher program. Through Cornell’s passion and vision, he helped found AMPLIFY! Teachers of Color Conference and Brothers Liberating Our Communities (BLOC), which both exist to sustain and increase teachers of color in education. Cornell uses his educational and professional experience to provide a strong understanding of equitable and justice centered surroundings for schools and leaders through public speaking and consultation with his LLC– Eggshells Inc.. It has been Cornell’s goal in his career to create safe spaces for difficult conversations around race and equity. By curating liberatory curricula, creating anti racist professional development, and providing school systems with supplemental tools for teacher evaluation, Cornell aims to make all schools places where all teachers can thrive and all students can achieve.
Lindsay Mathews
Board Member
Lindsay Mathews
Lindsay is a family law attorney who represents individuals going through a divorce, modification of custody and child support, paternity, third party custody, stepparent adoption, or minor guardianship in Cass, Clay, Jackson, and Platte Counties in Missouri. She is regularly appointed as a Guardian ad Litem for children and is a trained mediator. She graduated from the University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Law with an emphasis in Family Law. Prior to attending law school, Lindsay spent five years working in the education field. She taught for three years in the classroom and worked with teachers on their professional development for two years. Lindsay studied Spanish, Latin American Studies, and History at the University of Kansas where she rowed on the Crew Team and studied abroad in Costa Rica. When she isn’t working, Lindsay enjoys spending time with her family and friends exploring Kansas City.
Dr. Kia Turner Ed.D
Board Member
Dr. Kia Turner Ed.D
Dr. Kia Turner Ed.D is President of Red Apple Education, a Kansas City based non-profit that partners with K-12 public school systems to elevate marginalized parent voices, create on ramps for authentic parent engagement and ensure student school and workplace success. As President of Red Apple EdCo, Dr. Turner has helped organizations revamp their theories of change, core values and strategic plans as well as analyze their data and operational processes, using a more inclusive asset based lens.
Our Supportive Funders
