Overland Park, KS – CAPS Network has received a $750,000 grant from the Patterson Family Foundation to advance professional development for rural educators in Kansas. This funding will strengthen the CAPS Network’s ongoing work in rural communities by providing high-quality training and fostering industry partnerships that will create transformative opportunities for students and educators alike.
The grant will fund the Rural Educator Professional Learning Fund, supporting school districts in rural Kansas as they implement profession-based learning, design thinking, AI integration, and business partnership development. By partnering with leading professional learning organizations, the CAPS Network will provide targeted coaching, workshops, and events for both teachers and students.
“We believe that rural students deserve the same opportunities as their urban peers,” said Corey Mohn, Executive Director of CAPS Network. “This investment will equip educators with innovative teaching strategies that bridge the gap between education and industry, ensuring that students are future-ready no matter where they live.”
Expanding Professional Learning Through Key Partnerships
Through this grant, CAPS Network will collaborate with leading professional development organizations and individuals to bring world-class training and resources to rural educators. These partners will include, but are not limited to:
- Open Way Learning
- Seedfolk Partners
- Startland Education
- Dr. Chris Unger, Northeastern University
- Nate Clayberg, CAPS Network Business & Industry Director
Empowering Rural Kansas Through Innovative Education
CAPS Network’s Rural Initiative, which recently received $951,000 in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Education, aims to expand access to high-quality career exploration and hands-on learning experiences in 15-20 rural Kansas communities. Through this collaboration with the Patterson Family Foundation, CAPS Network will:
- Provide specialized professional development for rural educators, ensuring they have the skills and resources to engage students in profession-based learning.
- Strengthen local business and industry partnerships, helping students gain valuable experience through client projects, internships, and other immersive opportunities.
- Expand virtual learning opportunities, connecting students across Kansas to collaborative projects in marketing, design, and community health.
A Sustainable Model for Rural Education
With an inaugural cohort of seven rural school districts already engaged, CAPS Network will use this funding to expand its impact, selecting a second cohort in spring 2025 and a third in spring 2026.
“This funding allows us to ensure that educators in rural Kansas have access to well-deserved training and support,” shared Allison Koelzer Nelson, CAPS Network’s K12 Liaison for Rural Communities. “It’s an investment in the students who will drive the future economy of rural Kansas communities.”
About CAPS Network
Founded in 2009 in Overland Park, Kansas, CAPS (Center for Advanced Professional Studies) Network has grown into a global education movement, supporting over 120 affiliate programs across 25 states and four countries. CAPS Network is a 501c3 nonprofit organization focused on paving the education-to-employment path through profession-based learning. Programs that affiliate with the CAPS Network share best practices and connections with professional partners, post-secondary institutions, teachers and students.
About the Patterson Family Foundation
The Patterson Family Foundation, based in Kansas City, Missouri, is a family-led foundation that extends the legacy of Neal and Jeanne Patterson. The Foundation was established to reinvest in rural communities and cultivate values of education and hard work for current and future generations. The Foundation’s mission, “Working together to help rural communities thrive,” is carried forward through strategic grantmaking and other collaborative initiatives that serve rural counties across Kansas and western Missouri.
For more information about CAPS Network and its work in rural Kansas, visit https://yourcapsnetwork.org/rural-kansas-initiative/
For media inquiries or further information, please contact:
Corey Mohn, President & Executive Director
Email: corey@yourcapsnetwork.org
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