Who We Are

About Show Me KC Schools

Mission: Show Me KC Schools helps families make well-informed decisions about their child’s education by providing vital information about the school options available.

Vision: Our vision is that all Kansas City residents have confidence in their school options.

Core Values:
• Transparent
• Sector Agnostic
• Trusted
• Community-driven
• Inclusive

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 parents. We are also proud Kansas Citians and are thrilled to be raising our children here. 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.

All photos were taken by: Sydney Jean Photography

Leslie KohlmeyerExecutive Director

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 …

Danielle DispenzaDirector of School Navigation 816-490-1922

Danielle Dispenza is a Kansas City area native who has lived in KCMO for over 15 years with her husband. Prior to staying home to raise their two children …

Robyn KingDirector of SchoolAppKC

Robyn, born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri, brings 15 years of education experience and over 20 years of experience in broadcast journalism to SMKCS…

Sarah ArriagaSchool Navigator - Spanish Bilingual Specialist

Sarah Arriaga is from wayyy southwest Kansas, a town called Liberal, KS. She moved to the area when she attended Washburn University in Topeka, KS…

Tricia McGheeSchool Navigator - Spanish Bilingual Specialist

Motivated by her dedication to language access & family engagement with refugee, immigrant & multilingual families, Tricia served as…

Nina WardDirector of Programs and Events

Nina Ward is a lifelong resident of Kansas City, Missouri, and a graduate of Paseo Academy of the Fine & Performing Arts High School…

Alix LaskerAssistant, SchoolAppKC

Alix has worked at various roles in public education since 2006, and is passionate about the power of education…

Meet Our Board Members

Patrick AmeyBoard President

Patrick Amey is a Wealth Manager & Partner with Financial Advisory Service, Inc. in Leawood, KS. He was born and raised in Kansas City, received his undergraduate…

Lindsay MathewsBoard Member

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…

Nicole Collier White, CNPVice President

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 ….

Tricia JohnsonBoard Member

Tricia Johnson has taught middle school in Chicago and internationally. Originally from Southern California, Tricia earned her master’s degree from Teachers College…

Dalton MottTreasurer

Dalton Mott is an attorney at Shook, Hardy & Bacon LLP in the environmental group. Dalton lives in the Kansas City area with his wife and baby girl Hazel..

Susana ElizarrarazSecretary

Susana Elizarraraz is an educator from & in the community where she’s lived her whole life, Northeast Kansas City, Missouri…

Cornell EllisBoard Member

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…

Dr. Kia Turner Ed.DBoard Member

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…

Torey EveretteBoard Member

Torey Everette is an educator and has been in the field of education for 20 years. Originally from South Louisiana, she has had the privilege of teaching in three states and understands the importance of parents having access…