group shot of the facebook live participants
Our June 11 Facebook Live participants are (L-R): Chayanne Sandoval-Williams, Lindsey Foat, Amy Gum, and Jeremy Bonneson. (Kelly Lynch-Stange | Flatland)

How Do Schools Prepare Students For The Digital Economy?

June 18, 2018  |  Rachel Thomas  |  2 min read

Jeremy Bonneson, vice principal of Summit Technology Academy in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, asked curiousKC: “How do schools adapt to the ever-changing and disruptive nature of the workforce landscape for today’s digital economy?”

The question was right in our wheelhouse because Kansas City PBS is examining local workforce development efforts through its participation in the national American Graduate project.

It was also a big win for us because at curiousKC, we like to get the question asker involved in answering the inquiry, and Bonneson was on board with that.

It all came together with a Facebook Live broadcast from Summit Tech., where Bonneson took part in a panel discussion with two other participants:

  • Chayanne Sandoval-Williams is a Grandview High School senior, leader in her school’s robotics team, student at Summit Tech., and has plans to pursue a computer science degree.
  • Amy Gum is a lead software engineer at Cerner Corp., and has mentored for FIRST Robotics, Girls in Tech and the Society of Women and Engineers.

The panel’s discussion included how to create “two-way conversations” between high school students and science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) professionals and advice for students thinking about a career in STEM.

Have we piqued your curiosity? Submit your questions about education, work, or anything else about the Kansas City region that interests you here.

The Facebook Live panel discussion is below.

Flatland

We’re live at Summit Technology Academy discussing this question submitted to our #curiousKC initiative: How do schools adapt to the ever-changing and disruptive nature of workforce landscape for…

 

—Rachel Thomas is a summer intern for Kansas City PBS

—Kansas City PBS is examining the issue of workforce development as part of its participation in the national American Graduate: Getting to Work project, an initiative made possible by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Follow #AmGradKCPT on Facebook and Twitter for local American Graduate content and #AmGrad to see content from across the United States.

Reading these stories is free, but telling them is not. Start your monthly gift now to support Flatland’s community-focused reporting.

Nick’s Picks | Senate, Pollsters, Data Centers and More …

November 2, 2026

Election Day is finally here after another onslaught of campaign ads, Mayor’s Christmas tree on its way, UMKC basketball heads downtown, and more …

Related Stories

U.S. Vice President JD Vance will host a rally today in Topeka in support of Kansas U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall. (Wikimedia)

Nick’s Picks | Vance, Buddy, Houdini and More …

The U.S. vice president visits Topeka, a unicorn costume is a Halloween favorite, and a famous musician gets recognized in Kansas City.

Read More >

Nick’s Picks | Rally, Debate, Data Center and More …

Election season is in full swing, with the U.S. Senate race in Kansas taking center stage, including President Donald Trump holding a rally in Wichita.

Read More >
Marissa Gencarelli, of Yoli Tortilleria, grilled steak and Masa Shio Koji wings for an Anti-ICE Supper Club event to raise awareness and benefit Advocates for Immigrant Rights and Reconciliation (AIRR), a regional nonprofit that advocates for immigrant and refugee communities in Kansas and Missouri. The event took place at Yoli Cocina, in Kansas City, Mo. on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026. In the background is Laura Basauri, the executive chef for Taco Naco.

Kansas City Cooks as Site for National Anti-ICE Dinner Series

Celebrated chefs from throughout the metro collaborated for three nights on dinners that raised money for a local immigrant-rights nonprofit.

Read More >