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Teachers, parents and staff praise KTalk affinity work at Kirkwood board meeting
Summary
Multiple teachers, a pediatrician and online commenters told the Kirkwood School District board that affinity groups and the KTalk/teacher-of-color supports improve staff retention, student belonging and school climate; speakers urged continued district backing.
Several staff members and parents spoke during public comment at the Kirkwood School District board's Oct. 28 meeting to thank the board for supporting affinity groups and KTalk, the district's program to recruit and retain staff of color.
Nor Alari, a school counselor at Westchester Elementary, told the board she has researched minority-student needs and credited KTalk with "creating environments of inclusion, respect and belonging." Roberto mcwoods, who identified himself as the lead mentor for KTO, said a 2015'16 task force and a 2018 hiring led to mentoring and recruitment efforts that help teachers of color stay in the district.
Other speakers stressed measurable effects in classrooms. Darion Williams, a sixth-grade social studies teacher at North Kirkwood Middle School, said participation in KTO and building liaisons coincided with an increase in students invited to academic awards and a drop in discipline disproportionality. "Students and staff who feel accepted, included and valued not only achieve more but also bring a stronger work ethic," Nor Alari said.
Andrea sparkling, a teacher at North Glendale Elementary, and Tamla Meritt, a teacher at Tillman, described affinity groups as a reason they chose to work in Kirkwood and said the groups provide daily, practical supports. Marcy Schuler, also a Tillman teacher, highlighted student affinity groups that help younger students connect with peers across grades.
Miss Henrich read three online comments from district staff (Mark Decker, Keith Leonard and Sheree Jaggin) that echoed the in-person remarks, saying the groups strengthen community ties and help students who might otherwise feel disconnected.
Board members thanked speakers; no board action was taken on the public comments. The public-comment period was governed by policy B ddh1, which limits the total public-comment period and sets a three-minute limit per speaker.
