Childhood Friends Bring Hometown Lessons to Lead Local Charter School

St. Louis, MO — Childhood friends and former Kirkwood High School classmates Courtney Moulder and Keisha Seymour are bringing home lessons they learned attending Kirkwood schools to create a transformative educational experience at The Leadership School. As the first public charter school to open outside the St. Louis City limits, The Leadership School is built on empowering teachers and students to thrive—a vision deeply rooted in the pair’s Kirkwood experiences.

The two, who went from Kirkwood classrooms to becoming college roommates, share a philosophy about the power of strong teaching cultures. “Our time in Kirkwood shaped who we are as leaders. We experienced the importance of teachers who feel supported, valued, and connected to the community,” said Courtney.  Keisha grew up in North St Louis City and traveled to Kirkwood daily for school, where she found teachers who were not only there to teach but also became lasting friends and mentors.  “We are creating a sustainable teaching model so that our teachers can make the type of lasting impact that we experienced growing up.”

At the core of their approach is building a sustainable teaching culture—one where educators can thrive personally and professionally. Teachers at The Leadership School are supported through competitive pay, dedicated time during the school day for planning and grading, and opportunities for professional development. “When teachers are valued, they become stronger educators and committed professionals,” explained Keisha. “Our goal is to make teaching a sustainable, rewarding career—just like we saw growing up, where teachers were part of our lives year after year, knowing us and our families.” Teachers at TLS have 2.5 hours of remote planning time every day they can be taken either at the beginning or end of the workday.  Teachers also attend weekly professional development activities to sharpen their skills and develop community.

This innovative focus on teachers has already fostered stability and strengthened community ties within the school, helping students experience the same sense of belonging that Keisha and Courtney cherished in Kirkwood schools. The duo agreed,”Returning to St. Louis feels like completing a full circle; we’re building a place where educators, students, and families feel seen, heard, and part of something bigger.”

The Leadership School’s mission centers on academic excellence through personalized learning and a nurturing environment that celebrates educators and students. Fueled by hometown values and an unwavering commitment to innovation, Keisha and Courtney hope to inspire the next generation just as their Kirkwood teachers inspired them.