Lorenna Aparicio-Anderson

Lorenna Aparicio-Anderson is an accomplished educator with 30 years in the education industry and currently serves as an instructional coach in the Park Hill School District. She has held this role for seven years and has worked in instructional coaching for 15 years overall. In her position, she leads professional development sessions, conducts coaching cycles, facilitates professional learning communities, writes curriculum, and supports new teachers so that educators can achieve the best possible outcomes for their students. Her career has also included teaching kindergarten through sixth grade, serving as a curriculum coordinator, and working as both a reading and math interventionist.

Lorenna holds a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Missouri Western State University and a master's degree in curriculum and instruction with an emphasis in ESOL from the University of Missouri Kansas City. Known for her "warm demander" leadership style, she is deeply committed to equity and belonging. She is most proud of establishing an employee resource group for employees of color, and she has led efforts centered on cultural highlighting and belonging in her school buildings. Her contributions have been recognized with the DIB Champion Award and the STAR Award, and she is a member of Missouri NEA and Latinos for Education.

Lorenna credits her success to grit, resilience, and the women mentors who shaped her path and believed in her potential. She is guided by the values of authenticity, faith, family, and collaboration, and she holds close the advice that her legacy is her children rather than her job. Outside of work, she enjoys gardening, reading, podcasts, and spending time outdoors in nature, as well as time with her children and grandchildren.