After earning a biological science degree from Lincoln University, an HBCU, Dr. Rhonda M. Key was preparing to go to medical school.
“Then, I subbed as a science teacher, and I fell in love,” said Key, who shifted her focus to education, a career she has enjoyed for 37 years.
Key is deputy superintendent of the Hazelwood School District and has held both central office and building-level administrative positions following her early career as a biology teacher in urban, rural and suburban school districts.
Her success as an educator has earned her recognition as one of five Excellence in Education awardees at the Salute to Excellence in Education Gala, sponsored by the St. Louis American Foundation. The event will be held Nov. 1 at America’s Center.
“I certainly didn’t expect this recognition. I am very excited and very humbled,” she said.
“I am motivated to do what is best for children. When kids are successful, that’s when I find success.”
Key is most proud of her work in increasing student graduation rates and advancing college and career readiness. She has made partnership-building a cornerstone of her leadership — working with businesses, universities and community organizations to create real-world opportunities for students that extend beyond high school experience.
Dr. Tiffany Anderson, in her 10th year as superintendent of Topeka Public Schools in Kansas and credited with restoring state accreditation to the Jennings School District, a district which is over 90% African American, called Key “beyond exceptional.”
She thrives on tackling challenges and puts students first in everything she does, Anderson said, noting that Key was an important part of her leadership team when they worked together on transforming the Jennings district.
“She has high standards for excellence and inspires those around her to reach those standards,” Anderson said. “She leads with a sense of urgency. Her fearless leadership and advocacy for every student helped the districts she has served to improve significantly.”
Miranda Ming, a former Jennings teacher and current advisor to the executive director of the Momentum Academy, said Key was a transformative mentor who “saw something in me” when Key was Jennings’ principal.
“She was the first administrator who would come into my classroom,” Ming said. “She is by far the best mentor I ever had. She allowed me to grow with her leadership.”
The two partnered to create an intern program at Jennings, and it was Key who advised Ming to successfully apply to be an assistant principal.
“If you give Dr. Key 99 reasons something won’t work, she will begin a relentless pursuit of the one reason it will,” Ming said.
Key’s leadership path was shaped early. While Key was teaching at the Jefferson City Ninth Grade Center, her principal asked her to consider returning to school to earn a master’s degree and create a path to school administration.
“My reaction was ‘I don’t want to leave the kids.’ He said not only would I still touch the lives of kids, I would touch the lives of adults. I could make a change in a building, not just a classroom.”
Lincoln would again be her school of choice, and she earned a postgraduate degree and a master’s degree, both in education, at the HBCU.
Key has authored and co-authored articles on urban education and is co-author with Ming of “The Path Less Traveled: Creating Authentic STEM Career Pathways by Removing Barriers for Underestimated Youth.”
“You have to be willing to remove barriers. You have to adapt when you want to see your kids be successful,” Key said.
She warns people entering education that the profession can make them uncomfortable. They have to be firm but fair and show students love by making them accountable.
“They need role models to show them how to carry themselves, how to be professional,” Key said.
Key firmly believes in a piece of advice she shared with Ming that drives the deputy superintendent to “make the impossible possible”:
“What other job gives you this satisfaction?”
The St. Louis American Foundation’s 38th Annual Salute to Excellence in Education will take place on Saturday, November 1st at America’s Center in downtown. For tickets or more information, visit www.stlamerican.com.