Liberty Public Schools welcomes new superintendent as students prepare to head back to class Tuesday

LIBERTY, Mo. — KSHB 41 reporter Fernanda Silva covers stories in the Northland, including Liberty. She also focuses on issues surrounding immigration. Share your story idea with Fernanda.

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Liberty Public Schools students return to class Aug. 25, and the district's new superintendent said she is just as excited and nervous as the students.

Jennifer Kephart is no stranger to Liberty schools. She previously served as executive director for Elementary Education in the district from 2014 to 2017, before going on to serve as assistant superintendent of Elementary Education.

Kephart also served as associate superintendent of Academic Services in the Lee's Summit School District for four years, and most recently as superintendent of the School District of Washington, Missouri, for five years.

"It feels so amazing to be back," Kephart said.

Kephart said the start of the school year brings a mix of emotions.

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"With convocation today, this really feels for me like my first day. So, I laid out my clothes last night, I went to bed a little bit earlier, I made sure to get a good breakfast this morning," Kephart said. "It's that nervous, exciting energy."

She described a palpable atmosphere at a staff event Friday, where she met many Liberty Public Schools staff members ahead of the new school year.

"Just an electricity in the air, and we are all ready to see students on Tuesday," Kephart said.

Kephart said she sees her early tenure as a time to listen and learn before driving deeper change.

"I would say I'm still learning the areas in which we have some opportunities for continuous improvement," Kephart said. "It's continuing to learn and listen, and then to deepen that work throughout the district."

Among her priorities, Kephart highlighted a focus on real-world learning and career exploration for students at every level.

"Especially around real-world learning and the experiences and opportunities that we give our students — early learning center, elementary, middle and high school — to experience their career passions and interests before they walk across our stage," Kephart said.

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She said belonging is a core value she wants to establish across the district.

"I want our students to feel like they belong in our schools, in our classrooms," Kephart said. "I want our parents to know that we are doing the very best for their children every day."

On the subject of first-day nerves, Kephart offered a perspective she said applies to students and educators alike.

"I believe that if you are nervous, that means that you care and you have the chance to show that you care by having those little butterflies," Kephart said.

She said seeing families on the first day is what motivates her most.

"The smile and see moms and dads taking pictures of their kiddos on the first day. That's what just drives me," Kephart said.

Back-to-school emotions are also running high for the Graham family of Liberty.

Karen and John Graham have four daughters, ranging in age from 13 to 22. On Tuesday, two of their daughters — Kamryn, who will be a sophomore at Liberty High School, and Kyleigh, who will be in eighth grade — head back to class.

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Karen Graham said the family has navigated far more complicated school mornings in years past.

"There's been many times we've had four children at four different schools. So trying to juggle that during the morning between 6:30, 6:45 drop off, 7:30 drop off, 8:45 drop off, 9:15," Karen Graham said. "We would spend 5 hours before everybody even got to school."

Looking through old photos brought on unexpected emotion.

She said the bittersweet feeling of watching her children grow is something every parent understands.

"It's always exciting to move on to the next chapter and see what that year's gonna bring for them, but sad that they're growing so fast," Karen Graham said. "It goes fast. The 'don't blink' is so cliche, but yeah, you turn around and then your oldest has graduated college."

For the Graham daughters, the feelings heading into the new school year are a mix of nerves and excitement.

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Kamryn said the transition brings its own anxieties.

"Just kind of scary because it's like a new grade and all new things and meeting new people," Kamryn said.

She said maintaining a positive presence is something she is focused on.

"It's just like all like the people and just staying friendly around everyone, and keeping a good impression," she said.

Kamryn said looking back at family photos makes the moment feel meaningful.

"I feel like, to me, it's kind of like sentimental because when we look back, we see all the pictures from the past few years," Kamryn said. "It's cool to look back because it went from all four of us to now it's just two. So, it's a lot different. It's really nerve-wracking because I'm getting to know new teachers and new friends. So it's just a whole new environment."

Kyleigh echoed her sister's feelings.

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"It's really nerve-wracking, cause I'll be getting new teachers and new friends, so it's a whole new environment," Kyleigh said.

She said leaning on friends helps ease the anxiety.

"It's hard, but once you have other friends around you, it helps to just calm yourself, so that you have people around if you need help," Kyleigh said.

She said she is looking forward to new experiences this school year.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

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