Our Team

Meet the Teach For America Kansas City team.

Local Leadership

A woman with short, blonde hair wearing a blue top with a white suit jacket.

Julie Gronquist

Executive Director

Julie has been a member of the Teach for America Kansas City family since 2010 and is the region’s Executive Director. She attended Bemidji State University where she majored in Early Childhood Education and Political Science. Upon graduation, she worked as an advocate for early childhood education and taught special education in the South Bronx. Following the completion of her Master's in Teaching from Pace University, Julie worked as a special education coordinator at Achievement First Bushwick Elementary, where she piloted a special education model that is widely used within the network today. In addition to her work at TFA, Julie dedicated 10 years of service to the KIPP KC Board of Directors, ultimately serving as Board President, and is a foster parent. Contact: Julie.Gronquist@teachforamerica.org

Meet Our Staff

Senior Managing Director, Development

Meredith Mershon

​meredith.mershon@teachforamerica.org​

Senior Managing Director, Programs and Partnerships

Nacole Boan

nacole.boan@teachforamerica.org

Managing Director, Accelerate

Johanna Laxton

johanna.laxton@teachforamerica.org

Managing Director, Strategy, Talent, and Operations

Jordan Jackson

jordan.jackson@teachforamerica.org

Managing Director, Network & Partnerships

Katie Bubalo

katie.bubalo@teachforamerica.org

Managing Director, Leadership Development

Libby Potts

libby.potts@teachforamerica.org

Director, Accelerate - Coaching

Brenna Jenisch

brenna.jenisch@teachforamerica.org

Director, Accelerate - Pre-K

Jessica Tolan Klock

jessica.tolan@teachforamerica.org

Director, Accelerate - Professional Development

Linda Kovac

linda.kovac@teachforamerica.org

Manager, Accelerate - K-12

Ciera Kelly

ciera.kelley@teachforamerica.org

Manager, Accelerate - K-12

Elizabeth Baird

elizabeth.baird@teachforamerica.org

Manager, Accelerate - International Teacher Coach

Joel Nkusi Rwabera

joel.nkusirwabera@teachforamerica.org

Manager, Accelerate - Pre-K

Kate Tammeus

kate.tammeus@teachforamerica.org

Manager, Accelerate - K-12

LaTanya Handy

latanya.handy@teachforamerica.org

Manager, Accelerate - Pre-K

Olivia DeRusse

olivia.derusse@teachforamerica.org

Manager, Accelerate - K-12

Victoria Ukaoma Rose

victoria.ukaomarose@teachforamerica.org

Get in touch

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