Raymore-Peculiar School District continues to be recognized as a leader in Real World Learning, with four educators serving in key leadership roles for the Kauffman Foundation's Real World Learning Market Value Asset (MVA) Academy during the 2026–2027 school year.
Stefani Russ has been selected as the Learning Experience Lead, overseeing the design and implementation of the MVA Academy's professional learning experience for educators across the six-county Kauffman Real World Learning (RWL) network. In this role, Russ develops academy training, facilitates learning experiences, and supports teachers as they create authentic opportunities that prepare students for success beyond graduation.
Joining Russ as Teacher Mentors are Kara Kestner, Katie Huff, and Emily Craig, who will each provide year-long coaching to educators from school districts throughout the Kansas City region.
Teacher Mentors play a vital role in helping educators successfully implement Market Value Asset-level Client Connected Projects (CCPs) and Entrepreneurial Experiences that provide students with meaningful, real-world learning opportunities.
Throughout the academy, mentors:
Individualize coaching to guide teachers toward developing high-quality Market Value Assets.
Connect educators with valuable resources and support, including the Learning Management System (LMS), implementation guidebooks, Instructional Coaches, Real World Learning Coordinators, administrators, MVA Specialists, and regional partners.
Foster relationships across the Real World Learning network, creating a collaborative community where educators share ideas, solve challenges, and celebrate successes.
Russ, Kestner, and Huff are members of the Enterprise & Design program at the Ray-Pec LEAD Center, where they have helped build a nationally recognized model for competency-based, real-world learning through client-connected projects, internships, entrepreneurship, and student-led businesses.
Craig serves as an English Language Arts teacher and Administrative Intern at Raymore-Peculiar High School and the Ninth Grade Center. Her work focuses on creating engaging, authentic learning experiences while supporting instructional leadership across the district.
Together, these educators represent Ray-Pec's continued commitment to preparing students with the knowledge, skills, and experiences that matter most in college, career, and life.
"Real World Learning is most powerful when teachers have the confidence, support, and resources to create authentic experiences for students," Russ said. "Serving alongside Kara, Katie, and Emily allows us to help educators across the region transform learning in ways that are meaningful, relevant, and lasting."
The Market Value Asset Academy is part of the Kauffman Foundation's Real World Learning initiative, which seeks to ensure every high school student graduates with valuable experiences that demonstrate readiness for college, careers, and life. Through sustained coaching and professional learning, the academy equips educators to design experiences that connect classroom learning with real clients, entrepreneurial thinking, and workforce skills.
Raymore-Peculiar School District has become a regional leader in Real World Learning, with educators continually sharing innovative practices and supporting schools across the metropolitan area in expanding opportunities for students.