Tysie McDowell Named 2026 Kauffman
Uncommon Leader Visionary Award Recipient
Crossroads Charter Schools is proud to celebrate co-founder and founding superintendent Tysie McDowell, recipient of the 2026 Kauffman Uncommon Leader Visionary Award.
The award recognizes leaders whose work has created lasting impact across the Kansas City region.
Tysie helped co-found Crossroads Charter Schools in 2012 with a vision for high-quality public education in the heart of Kansas City. What began as one school serving fewer than 200 students has grown into three tuition-free public charter schools serving more than 1,100 students and families.
That growth is part of a much bigger story.
From the beginning, Crossroads has believed that students should be connected to the city around them, surrounded by opportunity and prepared for what comes next.
Tysie’s leadership helped turn that belief into a school system rooted in downtown Kansas City and connected to the community it serves.
The Kauffman Uncommon Leader Visionary Award recognizes that legacy — and the impact that continues through Crossroads students, staff, families and community partners today.
Tysie McDowell, founding superintendent of Crossroads Charter Schools, poses with Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace, president and CEO of the Kauffman Foundation; photo by Tommy Felts, Startland News
Built for What’s Next
Finalists for the 2026 Kauffman Uncommon Leader Visionary Award: Heidi Wooten, president and CEO, Safehome; Brennan Crawford, executive director and CEO, Build Wyco; Tysie McDowell, co-founder and superintendent, Crossroads Charter Schools; Kar Woo, founder and program director, Artists Helping the Homeless; Alana Henry, executive director, Ivanhoe Neighborhood Association; and Micheal Lawrence, CEO, Big Brothers Big Sisters of KC; photo courtesy of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation
The vision that helped launch Crossroads continues today.
Across our three schools, students learn in the heart of Kansas City through strong academics, real-world learning and connections to the people, organizations and opportunities around them.
We are proud of where Crossroads started.
And we are still building what comes next.