Pathway Programs Specialist and Field Instructor
University of Missouri at Kansas City
Sara Saunders is a product of Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools and holds both undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Missouri, Kansas City (UMKC). Sara has worked in education for over a decade and has vast experience working with children and teachers in urban schools. In 2021, she completed her eighth-year teaching mathematics in the Kansas City Kansas Public School District where she was a leader among her education peers. Sara’s graduate degree in Urban Teacher Leadership provided the foundation for her current work as Field Instructor and Pathway Specialist with UMKC’s Institute for Urban Education (IUE). Her primary role is with the IUE is working the Grow Your Own Pipeline, where she coaches and assists high school teachers leading teacher pipeline programs in Kansas City High Schools. Within this role, Sara also facilitates co-curricular experiences in culturally relevant pedagogy, anti-racism and social justice, as well as mentors beginning teachers. In addition, she works as an adjunct professor at UMKC, teaching undergraduate courses in the areas of Critical Thinking, Cultural and Diversity, Classroom Management, Middle School Organization and Teaching Methods. Sara’s passion and professional interests focus on teaching for social justice and equity, anti-racism, mentoring of students and teachers of color and support for first-generation college students. Sara is currently an Interdisciplinary Ph. D. student studying at UMKC with a primary discipline of Educational Leadership and Policy and co-discipline of Curriculum and Instruction.
A GYO Agenda for Justice and Equity
Friday, February 16, 2024
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM MST