Monsieur Ridley Thomas is a life-long resident of Kansas City. In fact, he grew up only a few blocks from the J.C. Nichols School, still calling the neighborhood home. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in French from the University of Missouri, Kansas City where he studied an academic year in France: first in Lyon at L’Université de Lyon Lumière II and later in Paris at L’Université de Paris IV (La Sorbonne). M. Thomas was the first University of Missouri student to participate in this exchange program. He played an integral part in its creation, leading to the recognition of “Excellence in Cultural Exchange” awarded by the office of International Affairs and Student Exchange.

He began his transition to Educator as a volunteer at Gordon Parks Elementary Charter where his passion for helping children realized their full potential and life goals was solidified. He was eventually able to focus full-time on teaching and the pursuit of his Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. Mr. Thomas is currently working towards his interdisciplinary Ph.D in Early Childhood Education and Urban Leadership and Policy Studies in Education.

M. Thomas is proud to be part of the faculty at Académie Lafayette due to, among others, strong parent involvement and Académie Lafayette’s unique and diverse student population.

“…the art of the teacher is to open the joy of creative expression and knowledge.”  --Albert Einstein

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