Show Me KC Schools

Children start learning from birth, and we are here to answer some of the most common questions that arise regarding early childhood and early childhood education. Join Molly and Danielle as they discuss day care options, pre-k, transitioning into kindergarten and more! This episode includes information that effects all of Missouri families before focusing in on the Kansas City landscape.

In today's episode, we are continuing our conversation around literacy. There is a lot of conversation in Kansas City about literacy and reading as it relates to students and schools. But today we want to talk about how families can support their students’ literacy at home. Danielle Dispenza, Director of School Navigation, and is joined by educators Gabi Guillory Welsh, and Amanda Walker-Jacks...

Season 3, Episode 2 - Join Nina Ward, with Danielle Dispenza, Director of School Navigation, and literacy and special ed educator Ms. Gabi Guillory Welsh as they discuss supporting students with dyslexia both at home and at school.

Season 3, Episode 1 - In today's episode, we chat about the Science of Reading- why it's important and the impact reading has on your child's education. Nina Ward is joined by Caitlin Sharp and Kristin Hart with The New Teacher Project! This episode kicks off our three part series on literacy!

Season 2, Episode 9 - Tune in as Danielle Dispenza, Director of School Navigation, is joined by Jessica DiGiovanni and Stephanie Answer, as they discuss a very unique Individualized Education Plan carried out through homebound instruction that supports the needs of Stephanie's son, who is non-verbal, and has unique needs. Resources : Understood.org Missouri Parent Bill of Rights Missouri Proce...

Season 2, Episode 8 - En este episodio, escuche a Susana Elizarraraz y Celia C. Ruiz hablar sobre los recursos de salud mental disponibles en Kansas City. Resources Línea 988 NAMI Folleto educativo sobre salud mental Mattie Rhodes

Season 2, Episode 7 - Nina and Danielle discuss kindergarten readiness with parents and educators, Akeyla Walker and Amanda Walker-Jackson. Tune in to hear tips on how to prepare your child and yourself for he transition to kindergarten. Resources : Showmekcschools.org Kindergarten Readiness Guide School Guide KC English School Guide KC Spanish Finding the Right School Workbook

Season 2, Episode 6 - Middle school years pass by so quickly, we often forget to use this time to prepare our students for high school. Tune in to this episode with Nina, Danielle, and Kauffman School counselor, Alexis Thuston to hear tips on how to support your student during these transition years and how to search for the best high school for your student. Resources: School Search site School G...

Season 2, Episode 5 - In this episode, we’re diving into an important topic that impacts students, families, and the future of Kansas City Public Schools—the upcoming General Obligation (GO) Bond on the April 2025 ballot. Nina sits down with KCPS Superintendent Dr. Collier to break down the GO Bond, why it’s needed, and how it fits into the district’s 10-year Capital Funding Plan. We’ll explore ho...

Season 2, Episode 4 - ¡Sintonícese para saber cómo puede utilizar estas herramientas GRATUITAS para encontrar la mejor escuela para su hijo! Recursos: Sitio de búsqueda de escuelas Guía Escolar KCMO

Season 2, Episode 3 - Nuestros equipos de navegación escolar explican qué esperar de la Feria escolar anual de la ciudad. Escuche cómo comparten consejos y aspectos destacados del evento. Show Me KC Schools organiza una feria escolar anual en conjunto con la Biblioteca Pública de Kansas City cada año el segundo sábado de noviembre. ¡Recuerde noviembre todos los años para este emocionante evento! E...

Season 2, Episode 2 Our school navigation teams talk through what to expect at the annual City School Fair. Listen as they share tips and highlights for the event. Show Me KC Schools hosts an annual City School Fair in conjunction with the Kansas City Public Library every year on the second Saturday in November. Remember November every year for this exciting event! This family-friendly event featu...

Season 2, Episode 1 - Director of School Navigation, Danielle Dispenza sits with Kansas City parent and educator, Cassandra Bruington to discuss how she utilized the school search tools provided by Show Me KC Schools. Tune in to learn how you can use these FREE tools to find the best school for your child! Resources: Kansas City School Search Site School Guide KC (Downloadable) School Search Workb...

Season 1, Episode 17 - On the Show Me KC Schools Podcast we typically cover topics related to education, school options, etc. One thing we also like to do is stay engaged with families and ask them what they want to hear from us. When surveyed many families provided feedback that they wanted us to have conversations about mental health. On this episode, we are joined by incredible mental health pr...

Season 1, Episode 16 - Este es otro episodio de nuestra serie sobre educación especial. Esta serie incluye información útil y experiencias personales para ayudar a otros en la navegación por el complejo mundo de la educación especial. En este episodio Trica McGhee y Bertha Aldape de RevEd hablan con los padres Leslie Villeda y Miriam Galan sobre su experiencia navegando el sistema de educación esp...

Season 1, Episode 15 - Hoy hablaremos de los Conceptos Básicos de la Educación Especial. Escuchen como nuestros amigos en RevEd, Trica McGhee y Bertha Aldape hablan sobre los conceptos básicos que necesitan saber para comenzar su viaje como padres en el espacio de la educación especial. Show Me KC Schools se compromete a brindarle informacion vital que lo respalde mientras usted apoya a su hijo en...

Season 1, Episode 14 - This is another episode in a Special Education series. This conversation focuses on the transition to adulthood for students currently receiving special education services due to their diverse abilities. Our guest is Kim Riley, founder of The Transition Academy in Kansas City, Missouri. The Transition Academy is a nonprofit organization created to improve postsecondary outco...

Season 1, Episode 13 - En este episodio en español, nuestros amigos de LatinX Education Collaborative y Revolución Educativa presentan este episodio especial del podcast Show Me KC Schools para analizar las opciones escolares y cómo las familias pueden encontrar la mejor escuela en Kansas City para sus hijos. Show Me KC Schools se compromete a brindarle informacion vital que lo respalde mientras u...

Season 1, Episode 12 - This is another episode in our Special Education series. This series includes helpful information and personal experiences to help others in navigating the complex world of special education. We are continuing to discuss Special Education in this episode we talk with parent and community advocates, Jillian RainingBird & Stephanie Answer about navigating the K-12 Special...

Season 1, Episode 11 - Have you ever been interested in private school but haven't been sure how you could afford it? On this episode, Nina is joined by Laura Linn, Director of Admissions and Financial Aid w/ Pembroke Hill, and Cici Tompkins, Director of Outreach Children's Education Alliance of Missouri to discuss private school affordability and the process of accessing those options. Re...

Season 1, Epsiode 10 - Today we are discussing Special Education as it relates to early childhood interventions. Danielle is joined by Dr. Jumesha Wade and Arleen Martinez with Start Zero a Kansas City nonprofit focused on early childhood development. Tune in as they discuss the importance of early childhood special education & early intervention. This is another episode in our Special Educati...

Season 1, Episode 9 - Special Education Series - Special Education Basics Today we are talking about Special Education Basic. Think of this as your Special Education intro course, with helpful information and tools to get you started. Listen in as Special Education advocates Georgia Mueller and Danielle Dispenza discuss the basics you need to know to start your journey as a parent/caregiver in the...

Season 1, Episode 8 - On this episode we hear from amazing leaders in the Kansas City parent advocacy space; Dr. Julie Holland with the Parent Leadership Training Institute & Rebecca Williams with Parent Power Lab. Join us as we talk about the work these leaders do in training parents to be advocates for their students and others. Resources:PLTI Cohort 6 Fall 2023 Application - https://docs.go...

Season 1, Episode 7 - On this episode, the 2023 SMKCS-ProX Interns share tips on how to get the most out of your high school experience. Join Keira, Jawnaa, and MaKayla as they discuss how to be successful in high school.

Season 1, Episode 6 - On this episode, Nina is joined by Spark Bookhart with Parent Power Lab who is going to help us unpack some of the history that has impacted the education landscape in Kansas City.  Resources PBS - TAKE NOTE, How We Got Here: A Kansas City Education Timeline Parent Power Lab