Jennifer Collier would shine as Kansas City Public Schools’ next superintendent

Any new leader will always struggle with escaping the shadow of their predecessor. I know this firsthand as the elected president of the Kansas City Federation of Teachers and School Related Personnel. I also know that former Kansas City Public Schools Superintendent Mark Bedell left big shoes to fill as he moved on to a new position in Maryland. However, I believe that it is time to allow Interim Superintendent Jennifer Collier to step out of Bedell’s shadow and shine as her own leader.

Much has been said about the historical nature of Collier becoming interim superintendent. Much more can be said about the legacy that she leaves behind as a district administrator, teacher and human resources director. However, it is time for Kansas City to unite around her leadership and allow her to truly take the reins of Kansas City Public Schools. If we will just trust her leadership as a city, a district and a community I believe we can rise to new heights.

While small in stature, Collier is mighty in theory and practice. She has a proven record in our history as an administrator of uniting staff under a vision. She has a history as an HR director of understanding needs and vacancies. She has a history as deputy superintendent of focusing on academic growth. Add onto that her focus on equity, literacy and math, and I believe we would once again not only hold accreditation but show further improvement as well under her leadership as superintendent.

But all of this takes trust. I was at the first board of directors meeting and listened to the presentations. I heard community members as well as district staff refer to Bedell continuously. A story was issued by a news outlet recently that focused on what Bedell said and did about TIF financing, even though he announced his resignation in June. Collier will never be able to show her true potential as a leader if we do not allow her to escape the shadow of her predecessor.

This doesn’t mean we erase the time Bedell was here. This means we embrace that period, while also embracing the vision of continuity that the community has called for. It means allowing the interim superintendent to show what she can do and chart the path forward to show that continued growth. But it does mean, allowing her to lead in her style. She is not boisterous or commanding, but soft spoken and gentle. She is a woman of deep faith, emotion and care. Simply put, she is a mother.

Kansas City Public Schools has never had a female superintendent, though a few have served under interim status. The time is now for a woman to take the reins of this district. That means the community must trust that a strong, well educated, African American woman truly can lead. That trust should not be difficult, but sometimes seems insurmountable. I believe Collier can overcome those fears and trepidations.

It is rare that any educators’ union president defends a superintendent, but as an elected leader of the staff of this district, I believe I have a duty. That duty is serving the employees of this district so the students can shine. For that to happen, the city, the community and the personnel of Kansas City Public Schools need to allow Jennifer Collier to escape the shadow of her predecessor and shine her own light of leadership and success on this institution.