Instructional

Rychinda brings a decade of experience in education, with a background spanning elementary and middle school teaching, instructional coaching, teacher development, curriculum and professional learning, and instructional leadership. A native of Kansas City, Missouri, she has worked in both traditional and charter school settings and has supported educators at various stages of their professional development. […]

Jhané Simmons brings nearly a decade of experience in early elementary education, instructional coaching, teacher development, and school leadership. Throughout her career, she has served as an elementary classroom teacher, reading interventionist, instructional coach, Assistant School Leader of Instruction, and Senior Instructional Faculty supporting both novice and experienced educators in their professional development and paths […]

Telika McCabe is the Administrative Coordinator for the Institute for School Partnership. Telika started her career at Washington University as an Office Assistant in the Student Health Center, in 2019. She earned an associate’s degree in Strategic Communications through WashU’s CAPS program, where she is pursuing a BS in Integrated Studies in Strategic Communications.

Liesl is an Instructional Specialist. She has been a classroom teacher educating students in grades 1-5 across Illinois, Connecticut and Missouri since 2006.  Most recently, Liesl was a teacher with Parkway Schools. There she was a founding member of the district’s elementary school dedicated to Personalized Learning. Prior to that she served as a math coach […]

Carol Colaninno has been actively involved in K-12 STEM curriculum development, education, and research for the past decade. She has a passion for translating science research, content, and practices into K-12 learning opportunities that support students to develop science interest, science identity, and a sense of belonging in STEM. Carol holds a PhD in anthropology […]

Jennifer supports the data collection, evaluation, and research dissemination goals and objectives of programs at the Institute for School Partnership (ISP). She believes deeply in the transformational power of education and the importance of schools in our region to continue building their capacity to provide equitable access to engaging, high quality STEM instruction, and to […]

Gloria is an instructional specialist supporting the ISP’s Math314 team. She supports the team by providing embedded professional learning and coaching in mathematics instruction. Gloria taught fifth and sixth grade as a looping teacher at Maplewood Richmond Heights Elementary for five years, teaching as a departmentalized math and science teacher. While at MRH, she served […]

Alexandra Forgerson serves as an Instructional Specialist, developing and implementing high-quality instructional materials for K-12 classrooms. Collaborating with university faculty, scientists, and educators, she supports the co-creation of resources that support equitable learning experiences and help translate research into authentic student learning opportunities. Her role includes assisting faculty with funded project implementation, proposal development, and […]

Carmen Meeks began her career in education in 2009 as a Teach For America corps member in Kansas City. She has served in a variety of roles, including teaching kindergarten, preschool, third grade, and special education for grades K-6. Carmen’s leadership positions, working as an instructional coach for the Special School District of St. Louis […]

Jing joined the ISP in June 2022. She has been a 6th grade math and ELD teacher since 2016 at STRIVE Preparatory Schools – Federal, in Denver, CO, where she also served on the DEI Sub-Committee Board, facilitating and creating staff professional development on anti-racist teaching and identity work. She was also a math instructional […]