Author: Lisa Gooden

Lisa Gooden is a proud KCPS parent and public school advocate. She grew up attending magnet schools in the Indianapolis Public School system. She obtained a Bachelor’s Degree from Tulane University in New Orleans, and a Master of Arts in Library Science with a focus on Youth Services from the University of Missouri – Columbia. Gooden has a long history of service to youth, including volunteering with the Girl Scouts and 10 years at the Kansas City, Kansas Public Library where she worked closely with schools and the community as a Youth Services Supervisor and librarian at the Main Library.
Education, Equity, Kansas City, Parents

Prioritizing Equity in your school search

Join us for an online discussion Thursday, December 16 at 6pm! Register on Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/integrated-schools-kc-prioritizing-equity-as-you-navigate-school-options-tickets-218798681747 Are equity and community important to you? Looking for more perspectives before making your school choice? Hear from local Kansas City parents about their experiences in public schools and get a new perspective on your school options.With so many public school options in Kansas City, parents don’t need to feel … Continue reading Prioritizing Equity in your school search

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Education, Kansas City, Parents

Parent-to-parent mentoring

Integrated Schools’ Parent-to-Parent Program connects families who have enrolled their children in integrating schools with families considering this choice. Developing a one-on-one relationship with someone who has ‘been there’ and who is willing to share their experiences can make all the difference as you talk through your decisions. Whether you’re looking for a mentor, or you’d like to take your advocacy for school integration a step further and … Continue reading Parent-to-parent mentoring

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Education, Equity, Kansas City, Parents, Segregated schools

Additional discussion dates added

Due to the big interest in our July virtual discussion, two new dates have been added. We hope if you were not able to register for our July discussion that you will be able to attend one of these discussions in August or September. Register: Thursday, August 27 at 6pm – THIS DISCUSSION IS FULL Register: September 24 at 6pm Integrating Mindfully: A discussion on … Continue reading Additional discussion dates added

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Desegregation, Education, Equity, Kansas City, Parents

Virtual Summer Discussions

Thursday, June 25 at 6pm Raising White Kids with Jennifer Harvey: A parenting podcast discussion How are you talking to your kids about the protests? Join other KC parents for a virtual discussion on this and the Integrated Schools podcast: Raising White Kids with Jennifer Harvey. Listen to the podcast: https://integratedschools.simplecast.com/episodes/harvey. Register for the virtual discussion at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/raising-white-kids-with-jennifer-harvey-a-parenting-podcast-discussion-tickets-108555107248 Thursday, July 23 at 6pm Integrating Mindfully: … Continue reading Virtual Summer Discussions

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Desegregation, Education, Kansas City, Parents, Segregated schools

Take the Two Tour Pledge

Nine years ago when we were looking at schools for my oldest, we toured three and found them all to be great. Looking back, we made the decision harder than it needed to be. We stressed about it and talked about it with many friends and neighbors. In the end, we chose a school where we knew no one. We became a part of that … Continue reading Take the Two Tour Pledge

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Desegregation, Education, Equity, Kansas City, Parents, Segregated schools

Navigating school choice with racial/economic privilege

Sunday, December 8th 4:00-5:30 PM Plaza Library 4801 Main Street (Large conference room) Discuss how to make a great choice for your child and be a force for equity. Join other local parents on this journey for a thoughtful discussion. Children are welcome, snacks and toys will be available. Continue reading Navigating school choice with racial/economic privilege

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Education, Equity, Kansas City

Integrated Schools Podcast Discussion

Join local Kansas City parents this summer for our new monthly Integrated Schools podcast discussion series. We’ll talk about implicit bias, our own experiences, and the benefits of racial & socioeconomic integration in schools. Come find out more about the integrated schools movement and how it relates to local schools and YOUR FAMILY. Sunday, June 23 at 2pm – Waldo Library Episode 10: Why My … Continue reading Integrated Schools Podcast Discussion

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Desegregation, Kansas City, Segregated schools

Looking back at school choice decisions through a new lens of race and equity

This episode spoke to me as a parent getting ready to transition kids to high school. Our school choice decisions are not done after you pick an elementary school and Kansas City’s high schools, especially in the central and southern parts of the district, are intensely segregated. We all come to this conversation at different points and sometimes, like it was for this family, you … Continue reading Looking back at school choice decisions through a new lens of race and equity

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Desegregation, Education, Equity, Kansas City, Parents

Race, Equity, and Inclusion trainings

Please consider attending one of the upcoming Race, Equity & Inclusion sessions that will be held March 14-15 and April 11-12. These are 2-day workshops and you must attend sessions on both days to complete the training. I had the opportunity to attend this past fall and the extensive discussions on the history and social contructs of race were eye opening, affirming, and will have … Continue reading Race, Equity, and Inclusion trainings

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Desegregation, Education, Kansas City

Complex Justice: A conversation with Dr. Bedell and Dr. Dunn

Mark your calendar and register for this important event: Complex Justice: A conversation with Dr. Bedell and Dr. Dunn. Thursday, January 24 from 5:15-6:30pm at Paseo Academy. The community is invited to discuss the important desegregation case of Missouri v. Jenkins. Learn about the history of segregation and desegregation and how it impacted the Kansas City School District. Engage in a fireside chat with Dr. … Continue reading Complex Justice: A conversation with Dr. Bedell and Dr. Dunn

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