by Dean Backes
Special to The Leaven
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Kirsten Wondra’s journey to becoming the associate superintendent of schools for the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas is a testament to her faith and dedication.
After some two decades in education — most of it spent in public schools — Wondra heeded the persistent call of the Holy Spirit and the encouragement of those around her to embark on this new chapter in her career.
“Looking back, I think God had been pursuing me for a long time,” Wondra said. “[Now] working in Catholic education has enriched me in my own faith in so many ways. I used to have to check my faith at the door and not give it much verbal space until I would come home at night and that, I think, leads to a very kind of fractured experience.
“I love this new role because one of my primary goals is to keep Catholicism thriving in our Catholic schools. We get to start the year with Mass all together. I’m thrilled that I get to be one small piece of God’s plan.”
A former principal herself, Wondra began supporting the 41 schools of the archdiocese July 1. In order to learn more about the needs and challenges of those schools, Wondra has been building relationships with school leaders and their staffs.
She spent the first weeks in her role, she said, “getting acquainted with people across the archdiocese. I’ve been meeting principals and the fabulous people that work at the chancery. I was able to go to the National Eucharistic Congress.”
“I’ve been listening to see how I can be most effective in this position,” she continued. “What are the needs out there? That’s how I’ve been spending my time. Getting all of the minute details to the pieces and parts of things that I need to be managing.”
In searching for the perfect candidate to replace Allison Carney, who retired, superintendent of schools Dr. Vince Cascone put together an interview team that included a couple of principals.
The 25-30 applications were then cut down to about six before the interview process began. Cascone has been entirely pleased with the decision to hire Wondra.
“I’ve had a number of school leaders reach out to me and say, ‘She is the right person for the job’ and say that ‘she is going to do an awesome job moving forward,’” Cascone said.
“She fits in very well with our team,” he added. “She attended the National Eucharistic Congress and I think I was able to get good insight into her faith and her dedication, not only to the Catholic Church, but to Jesus.”
Cascone went on to say that Wondra is very good at being able to identify the areas that need to be addressed in her job responsibilities.
“She is a go-getter and she’s very personable,” said Cascone. “I think one of the things that’s very important is for her to be able to interact with and work well with principals and she definitely does that very well.”
Born in Flagstaff, Arizona, Wondra’s circle runs deep in Michigan. After moving to the Great Lake State to work on his MBA, Wondra’s father chose a career in pharmaceutical sales. Due to several moves over the years, Wondra said she grew up in at least seven states, including Kansas.
She attended Kansas State University, where she met her husband Curtis. After marrying, the Wondras transferred to Wichita State, where the self-described voracious reader earned her bachelor’s in elementary education and teaching and a master’s degree in educational leadership and administration.
Wondra and her husband belong to Corpus Christi Parish in Lawrence and have four children — two who attend St. James Academy in Lenexa and two who go to Corpus Christi School.
Over the years, Wondra, who converted to Catholicism in college, said she has never questioned her decision to become an educator.
“At times, you see the worst of the worst and the best of the best,” Wondra said. “But there is nothing like having a connection where you see something click for a kid.
“When they learn something new, it brings them such joy,” she said. “In Catholic education, it’s even better because it’s the full experience. It feels good every day.”
