Administrative Team
Our administrative team includes both instructional leaders and non-instructional leaders that collectively believe in supporting teachers to focus wholly on strong educational experiences with their students daily and in supporting students and families to have the resources and support needed to maximize their learning experiences at the Kauffman School. We aim to build a racially-diverse administrative team - currently, 53% of our school administrators identify as leaders of color. For more information about administrative roles at the Kauffman School, visit our Current Opportunities page here.
Meet our Principals
Shelli Carman-Brown, Middle School Principal
Shelli Carman-Brown has never met a student who did not have greatness in them, and is excited to spend another year helping students discover their own greatness. Before teaching in Kansas City, Mrs. Carman-Brown earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and English from Auburn University. She was a 2011 Teach For America - Kansas City corps member and completed her Master in Special Education degree from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Mrs. Carman-Brown is happy to be working with a staff of teachers who are dedicated to proving what is possible for students in Kansas City.
Dr. Amber Hurd, High School Principal
Dr. Amber Hurd believes that students do not care what we know until they know that we care. She prides herself on building relationships with her scholars and truly believes that every student can learn and meet high expectations. Dr. Hurd overcame many childhood obstacles including poverty and violence and chose to use those experiences to drive her passion. Dr. Hurd has worked in education for seventeen years serving as an English & Public Speaking Teacher, Instructional Coach, and College & Career Counselor. During her tenure, she has taught, counseled, and mentored many youth. Prior to joining the Kauffman School family, she also served as an Academic Advisor and Success Coach at Northwest Missouri State University. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Greenville University, a Master of Arts in Education from Columbia College, a Master of Arts in Counseling from Missouri Baptist University and a doctorate in Educational Studies from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Dr. Hurd was drawn to the Kauffman School because of its mission of creating college graduates and its culture of excellence.
Georgina Leslie, Middle School Assistant Principal
Georgina Leslie believes every child deserves a high-quality education and should have the opportunity to graduate from college. She is thrilled to be part of a team that makes sure students are held to high expectations and rigorous academic standards in every classroom. She received her Bachelor of Arts in English and Russian Area Studies at Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio, and her Master in Education from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Prior to joining the Kauffman School, she taught fourth grade at African Centered College Preparatory in Kansas City, Missouri, as a corps member with the Teach For America program.
Amy Rosenwald, Middle School Principal
Amy Rosenwald believes that education can be a pathway to success for all students and is committed to ensuring students grow to be self-empowered, independent, and confident leaders. Prior to joining the Kauffman School team, Ms. Rosenwald served three years as a middle school teacher in Mission, SD, where she helped develop year-long curriculum for all secondary literacy classrooms. Ms. Rosenwald, an alumna of Teach For America, received her Bachelor of Arts in Global Studies and History from the University of Minnesota, and Master of Education from Black Hills State University. Ms. Rosenwald is proud to be part of PREPsters’ journey to college graduation.
Lindsey Woods, Middle School Assistant Principal
Lindsey Woods believes education is a gateway to opportunity. She leads with the conviction that every student has the ability to make significant academic progress while being held to high academic and behavioral expectations. Mrs. Woods worked with the founding team at the Kauffman School as a writing teacher, and later served as an Instructional Coach. She now serves as principal and continues to coach reading teachers. Prior to joining the Kauffman School team, Mrs. Woods worked at a local charter school in Kansas City, MO and spent her summers supporting and coaching first-year teachers. She holds her Masters of Education from Rockhurst University. This year, Mrs. Woods anticipates building on the strong foundation laid last year with staff and students. Her team is ready to prepare middle schoolers for college and empower them to be successful leaders and global participants.