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MEET THE LEADERSHIP & STAFF

Hope Leadership Academy was created to be a safe haven and an introduction to achievement and excellence for the students we serve. With that mission comes the need for educators who understand all children are capable of shifting their future significantly through access to qualified, dedicated, culturally competent educators. Our staff is committed to providing our students with a foundational education that creates a passion for life-long learning that positively impacts their future and the future of our surrounding community.

Executive Leadership Team

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Dr. Michelle E. James

Executive Director and Principal 

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Read Bio Here

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Tiffany Taylor

Director of  Operations, Academics, and Assessments

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Faculty

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Melissa Lauritsen

Kindergarten Teacher

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TBA

1st Grade Teacher

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TBA

4th Grade Teacher

Academic Support

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Pamela Maxey

SPED Supervisor/SPED Teacher

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Susan Awad

Reading and Math Interventionist

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Corinne Nguyen-Osborn

Speech Therapist 

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Michael Pearl

School Behaviorist

STAFF & FACULTY

Hope Leadership Academy Board Members

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DR. RODNEY D. SMITH

CO-FOUNDER/MANAGING PARTNER. SOPHIC SOLUTIONS, LLC. 

“Education is extremely important to our community and serving KC east of Troost Ave is paramount to me!”

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CLARKE SMITH

INSTRUCTOR, PRAGMATIC INSTITUTE

“I want every child in Kansas City to get the education and support they need to thrive in our city - being part of the HLA board gives me the opportunity to help our staff, teachers and kids make it happen.”

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JAKE LATTA

VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES, BRANDMUSCLE

"I believe that every child should have access to high-quality education and I am proud to sit on the board of HLA where they are making that a reality in their neighborhood."

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CATHY COWAN

MARKETING OPERATIONS | STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS

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DR. GINO TAYLOR

VICE PRESIDENT OF PEOPLE, CULTURE, & EQUITY

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JAMON FINLEY

LEARNING INSTRUCTOR

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"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined."

Henry D. Thoreau

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ADONIS WILLIAMS

QUALITY ANALYST LEADER

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"Quality is never an accident; it is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction and skillful execution"

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DAMIAN CUNNINGHAM

SR. ISC SUPERVISOR

HONEYWELL FM&T LTC

U.S ARMY (RETIRED)

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 It is not enough to want to be a thing. You must be willing to do what that thing requires

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