Local educator Elizabeth Ann Sanders wins national award

One of Kansas City’s own, Elizabeth Ann Sanders, was honored this month by one of the nation’s largest group of school leaders.

Sanders, a former assistant superintendent in the Kansas City school district, was awarded the American Association of School Administrators’ Effie H. Jones Humanitarian Award for “dedicating her life to improving the quality of education and the quality of life for vulnerable children.”

Sanders, who spent more than 30 years in education, received the award last week at the AASA National Conference on Education in Phoenix.

“I am excited and honored to be chosen as the 2016 recipient of this award,” Sanders said in a statement this week. “It is critically important that all children, despite their economic background, are positioned to turn their hopes and dreams into a reality. As educators, we must become a voice for the voiceless.”

Sanders, who currently serves as an education consultant and leadership coach for the League of Women Voters as well as an adjunct professor at Baker University in Baldwin City, Kan., received her doctorate in educational policy and administration from the University of Kansas.

Before becoming the assistant superintendent of school leadership in Kansas City, Sanders was director of senior high education for the Olathe school district and was among the first African-American principals in the Blue Valley school district.

This story was originally published February 19, 2016 at 12:25 PM with the headline "Local educator Elizabeth Ann Sanders wins national award."