Lawrence Public Schools introduces Cole Amaya as assistant superintendent and Tina Mitchell as director of equity

The USD 497 Board of Education and district leaders introduced two district leaders during the organizational meeting: Dr. Cole Amaya as assistant superintendent of teaching and learning and Tina Mitchell as director of equity and student and family engagement.

Dr. Cole Amaya was introduced by district leadership as joining Lawrence Public Schools from Kansas City, Kansas, where he served in district leadership and as a high school principal, assistant principal and instructional coach. The superintendent noted that Dr. Amaya will oversee curriculum, instruction and assessment functions and will work with classroom teachers and school leaders to support teaching and learning across the district.

Tina Mitchell was introduced as the district’s new director of equity and student and family engagement. District leadership said Mitchell brings 25 years of service to Lawrence Public Schools, including roles as assistant principal at Free State High School and 11 years as a school counselor. The superintendent and board officers noted that the position was redesigned over recent months with input from a district equity advisory committee and interview panels that included parents, educators, classified staff, principals and teachers.

Mitchell spoke briefly, saying she was "very much looking forward to partnering with schools" and that she looks forward to the next several years in the role. The superintendent welcomed both new leaders and invited them to greet the board and the community in person.

Both introductions were part of the meeting’s recognition and personnel section and preceded the officer elections and superintendent’s report.