By Mollee Francisco – Contributing writer, Mpls/St. Paul Business Journal
April 22, 2021
With an eye on closing opportunity gaps for marginalized children in the Twin Cities, Chancey Anderson Tauer is creating a path to success, one kindergarten class at a time.
As co-founder and CEO of school development at Prodeo Academy, Anderson Tauer did her homework before launching her own charter school. The St. Olaf graduate taught at a number of schools for underserved populations and earned her master's in education from the University of St. Thomas, as well as a master's as a literacy specialist from Columbia University.
In 2013, Anderson Tauer and co-founder Rick Campion welcomed the first three kindergarten classes to Prodeo Academy. Today, Prodeo serves more than 700 pre-k through seventh-grade students at two campuses in the Twin Cities. And Anderson Tauer has remained committed to the school’s success despite facing two separate cancer diagnoses.
More from our honoree …
Why do you do what you do? I taught for 10 years before starting Prodeo Academy with my co-founder, Rick Campion. I absolutely loved teaching, but the enormous gaps in my students’ education were evident; they were falling behind, not by any fault of their own but because a number of systems (including education) were failing them. We decided to start Prodeo Academy to create equity in education for as many children as we could serve across the Twin Cities. Martin Luther King Jr. had the famous quote: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” That’s why I do what I do. I believe it’s also why my colleagues do what they do. Equitable access to a strong education is key to a more just world. I am drawn to innovation and problem solving, and I absolutely adore kids and the joy they bring. I am fortunate to work with such exceptional colleagues and alongside such amazing families. What’s not to love?