KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Dr. Cynthia Lane said her career as a teacher started with a frog.
Lane originally planned to study clinical psychology, but in her first biology class, she had to test a frog's reflexes, which would kill the animal. She couldn't do it and decided to become a teacher instead.
When she landed in Kansas City, Kansas schools, "My first job was working in a class of special ed students at Hawthorn Elementary School which is now called Carruthers and it was wonderful," Lane said.
That was the beginning of a 30-year career in the district, from teacher to superintendent in 2010.
Lane says she, "Loved being in Kansas City, Kansas. There's something really remarkable about being an educator here. There is something about the work here that really gets to your heart, your soul, your passion. It's not a job. It's truly is, you're following your passion."
In her tenure at the helm, KCK has tripled its early childhood education program and much more.
Lane said, "We've done a lot. Some things that people would say are bold, courageous for an urban school district. Like raising our standards on ourselves and taking on something like a diploma plus initiative for all kids, standing up and saying that the kids who are here who were brought here, maybe not born here, also deserve access to an American dream. Those things are personal to me."
There have also been challenges. The graduation rate is just over 70 percent, state test scores are not where they would like and ACT scores are below the goal of 21.
The biggest disappointment for Lane though is, "That we haven't settled the school finance lawsuit yet. I had so hoped that this would be the year that it would be settled."
She believes that if the district does get additional resources, it should go to teachers. "Kansas pays 43rd in the nation in teacher salaries. I'm glad it's not 50th, but 43rd is not going to attract the best talent," she said.
Lane has been a steady hand in a district that thrives on stability. She's the 14th superintendent in more than 170 years of existence.
Her advice for her successor, who has not been named yet, is, "I would remind them that what Frederick Douglas said. Without struggle, there is no progress. So be prepared to struggle, but do it with a strong team and a strong community and you'll move in the right direction."
Lane wants to tell the KCK community, "It's been a privilege to serve as superintendent. I'm very grateful to this community."
