Full Name: Tanya L. Craft
Office Sought: Kirkwood School District Board of Education, First Term

I am a lifelong Kirkwood resident and a proud graduate of KHS, Class of 1992. With deep roots in this community, I have spent most of my life living, working, and volunteering in the Kirkwood School District. My educational journey began at Henry Hough Elementary until it closed, continued at North Glendale Elementary and Nipher Middle School, and concluded at KHS.

My husband and I have raised our two children in Kirkwood schools. Both attended Keysor Elementary, NKMS, and KHS. Our son is a 2016 KHS graduate, and our daughter is a senior in the Class of 2026. As a parent of a child on the autism spectrum, I have firsthand experience navigating special education services and understand the importance of early intervention, communication, and inclusive support for all learners.

Professionally, I am a Revenue Cycle Consultant at SSM Health, working in patient financial experience and escalations. My role requires collaboration, problem solving, accountability, and advocacy, skills that translate directly to effective school board service.

Community involvement has always been central to my life. I have volunteered consistently since high school and have served in leadership roles including Secretary of the NKMS PTO, Secretary and Social Media Chair for the Kirkwood Band Boosters, and Girl Scout leader for more than 13 years. I also served for 10 years on the Autism Speaks Board of Directors and presided as Walk Chair in 2008 and 2009, culminating in St. Louis’s first one-million-dollar Autism Speaks Walk.

I am seeking a position on the Kirkwood Board of Education to give back to the district that shaped my family, advocate for students and educators, and ensure strong, transparent leadership that keeps Kirkwood schools thriving.

James Harding, along with his wife Shelley and their two sons, Julian and Ezra, have proudly called Kirkwood home for nearly a decade. Their children have attended Tillman Elementary, Nipher Middle, and are now students at Kirkwood High School. When choosing where to raise their family, James and Shelley were drawn to the Kirkwood School District for its strong sense of community, academic excellence, and reputation as a destination district where families thrive.

Beyond his role as a parent, James has been an active contributor to youth development in the community. He has coached baseball and soccer both in Kirkwood and in the City of St. Louis, and has served as a mentor and tutor to students through an educational partnership program supported by his employer.

Professionally, James brings over twenty years of leadership experience in the financial services industry, managing a team of 15 employees. His work has encompassed budget management, risk and compliance oversight, and the creation of policies and procedures—skills that align well with the governance and strategic oversight responsibilities of the School Board.

James is deeply committed to ensuring that every student has a voice and an opportunity to succeed. He believes in nurturing both academic excellence and strong citizenship through volunteerism, leadership development, and community engagement. Closing the opportunity gap is a priority for James, and he wants every student to have equitable access to the resources that support their success.

If elected, James pledges to bring accountability, collaboration, and transparency to the School Board. He looks forward to working closely with the Superintendent, educators, families, and the community to achieve measurable outcomes that enhance the Kirkwood School District’s legacy of excellence.
 

Candidate photo and biography not yet received. 

Dr. Susan Hill is a proud Kirkwood School District parent and career educator with 23 years of experience in teaching, school leadership and district governance.  She grew up in St. Louis, MO where she attended Parkway South High School.  After graduating from Mizzou in 2000, she went on to earn a Master's in Education.  Susan taught Social Studies at Lindbergh High School for 10 years.  For the last 13 years she has served as a high school principal and district-level leader in the School District of University City.  Susan holds a Doctorate of Education in School Leadership from St. Louis University.  

Susan and her husband of almost 20 years, two teenage sons, and two dogs, have lived in the Tillman Elementary and North Kirkwood Middle School boundaries of the district for the past nine years.  Both of her sons attended elementary and middle school in Kirkwood School District and her current 8th grader will attend Kirkwood High School next school year, where he will graduate in 2030.   

Susan currently serves as a Board Member for the nonprofit SHED, Sustainable Housing and Economic Development. She is running to serve on the Kirkwood School District Board of Education because she would like to give back to the community where she lives.  Working in Lindbergh and University City has given her valuable experience that would make her an asset as a Board Director.  Susan has expertise in the roles and responsibilities of School Boards in Missouri.  She is uniquely situated to make well-informed decisions on all aspects of school district governance, including finance, operations, leadership, human resources, curriculum and instruction.  

Susan is running on the following three priorities: advocacy for our public schools at the state and national level, financial stability that ensures staff retention, and promoting a humanizing climate and culture.