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Tonia Gilbert: Executive Director of Upper Room | Bringing Together Community with Cradle to College Services

Sep 22, 2021

Dr. Tonia Gilbert wanted to combine her love of the law and her love for Kansas City children and their education. In the non-profit Upper Room, she has found a role that allows her to lead an amazing team that works diligently every day to make sure that Kansas City kids are afforded an equitable and quality education, no matter their background or demographic. Tonia previously spent 17 years working for the Kansas City Public Schools (KCPS), finishing her time there as the Executive Director of Student Support and Community Services.

 

Tonia joins me on the show this week to share her passion for supporting children in the Kansas City area, to learn and grow through the fantastic out-of-school programs that Upper Room provides. She gives us an insight into her journey from working as an Assistant District Attorney to working with children in the Kansas City Public School system, and why she was excited to join the team at Upper Room. Tonia also discusses how the COVID-19 pandemic affected Upper Room and how they pivoted to better serve their community at a challenging time.

 

"I would always tell (school) superintendents, there were no such thing as bad children, there were just children who made some poor choices.” - Tonia Gilbert

 

“We provide exceptional educational opportunities from cradle to college.” - Tonia Gilbert

 

“This is probably the most challenging work I've ever done. But, it's also the most rewarding work that I've ever done, to see how you affect lives.” - Tonia Gilbert

 

 This Week on The Wow Factor:

  • How Tonia’s previous role in child abuse and neglect investigations and her student discipline attorney experience helped her understand the need for an enhanced educational service offering
  • How Upper Room supports children and families
  • The partnerships that the Upper Room has in their local Kansas City community
  • Why the team at the Upper Room are committed to providing quality programs for children aged six weeks to when through 12th grade
  • How they support parents’ educational opportunities
  • How the Upper Room offerings have expanded over the years and the team’s commitment to constantly updating the curriculum to provide the best educational opportunities to their children
  • Why Tonia feels it’s so important to provide meals for the children who take part in their programs

 

Tonia Gilbert’s Words of Wisdom:

When children know that you're coming from a place of sincerity, they want to be with you, and they are encouraged to come back year after year. At Upper Room, we want what’s best for the community and the children that come to us, and we make sure that they have access to opportunities that will enhance their lives in the future.

 

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