Episodes

  • Charter School Innovation Series: Creating Education Environments for Student Success

    Charter School Innovation Series: Creating Education Environments for Student Success
    Aug 22 2024
    In this episode of Get Schooled on Public Education, we focus on strategies charter schools have implemented to create educational environments to improve student outcomes. We talked to Dr. Reneta C. Johnson, the executive director at Legacy Prep in Alabama and Zak Dominello, the executive director from Ricardo Flores Magón Academy in Colorado. They discussed their leadership styles, approach to student learning, parent and community engagement, and intentional practices that have helped them thrive in the public education space. Learn more about their challenges, successes, and the specific steps they’ve taken to enhance their school culture and boost student achievement by fostering a positive learning environment.

    Guests
    • Dr. Reneta C. Johnson, Executive Director/Head of Schools at Legacy Prep in Birmingham, Alabama.
    • Zak Dominello, Executive Director/Head of School at Ricardo Flores Magón Academy in Denver, Colorado.
    Episode Takeaways:
    • Charter schools are free, public, and open to all.
    • Intentional leadership and setting examples are instrumental in creating and maintaining a positive school culture.
    • Data-driven instruction and providing targeted support for teachers and students help boost student achievement.
    • Engage and consider the voices of teachers, students, parents, and the community in school decision making.
    Quotes:
    • Dr. Reneta C. Johnson
      • “We are very intentional about providing individual learning for our scholars.”
    • Zak Dominello
      • “When we as a community feel passionate about something, we get together, and we make it happen.”

    Chapters:

    00:00 – Introduction
    01:27 - Charter school innovation and student success explored.
    03:16 - Cultivating Buy-In: Merging Visions in Established Cultures
    03:49 - Overcoming leadership change, focusing on culture.
    06:38 - Improving reading skills through teacher support and training
    08:27 - Tailoring Plans for Academic and Emotional Growth
    10:08 - College camp work, neuroscience graduate, science educator
    11:53 - Continued Support: Pushing Success and Addressing Needs
    16:57 - Charters teach importance of community involvement.
    20:31 - Understanding Cultural Impacts in Education
    22:08 - Embracing Migration as a Celebration of Diversity
    24:28 - The Role of Charter Schools in Education
    25:44 - Outro
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    24 mins
  • Charter School Innovation Series: Supporting Student Mental Health

    Charter School Innovation Series: Supporting Student Mental Health
    Aug 15 2024
    When it comes to students’ ability to learn, mental health plays a pivotal role in their academic success and personal development. In this episode of Get Schooled on Public Education, we learn more about two charter schools and how their teams work together to ensure students receive mental health support to better meet their needs. We hear from the outgoing executive director Carol Bowar and the director of mental health and wellness at Girls Athletic Leadership Schools (GALS) Denver in Colorado. And we chat with the cofounder of Catalyst Public Schools in Bremerton, Washington. Listen to learn more about their schools’ approach to integrating wellness into their curriculums and the positive impact for teachers, students, and families.GuestsCarol Bowar, Executive Director (Feb. 2016–Aug.2024), Girls Athletic Leadership Schools (GALS) Denver in ColoradoYolanda Dandridge, MA, LPC, NCC, ACS, Director of Mental Health and Wellness, Girls Athletic Leadership Schools (GALS) in Denver, ColoradoAmanda Gardner, Co-founder of Catalyst Public Schools in Bremerton, Washington

    Episode Takeaways:
    • Charter schools are free, public, and open to all.
    • A holistic approach to student development creates a supportive environment for students to thrive academically and personally.
    • Integrating mental health support, while balancing high academic standards is key to improving student outcomes.
    • Effective mental health integration requires a strong leadership and collaborative approach.

    Episode Timestamps:

    00:00 – Introduction
    01:01 - A Parent's Journey to Advocate for Dyslexic Individuals
    03:43 - Gal's School Embracing Movement-based Learning
    08:38 - The Genesis of Catalyst and Educational Transition
    12:36 - Inclusive Education: Infusing Justice-oriented Themes in the Curriculum
    14:05 - Prioritizing Student Mental Health: Implementing Additional Support Staff
    17:17 - Fostering Wellness: A Focus on Mental Health Support in Educational Settings
    18:15 - Outro

    Quotes:
    • Carol Bowar
      • Executive Director (Feb. 2016–Aug.2024), Girls Athletic Leadership Schools (GALS) Denver in Colorado
        • “They (parents) want a place where their children can figure out who they really are, find their voice, use it for good, and be part of a community that holds them and loves them.”
    • Yolanda Dandridge,
      • Director of Mental Health and Wellness, Girls Athletic Leadership Schools (GALS) Denver in Colorado
        • “I'm here creating what that looks like to have mental health in conversations in the educational process to be able to support students, adults, and families.”
    • Amanda Gardner
      • Co-founder of Catalyst Public Schools in Bremerton, Washington
        • “A lot of the model that we use is really rooted in social emotional learning and a culture of belonging.”
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    18 mins
  • Charter School Innovation Series: Nurturing Future Healthcare Heroes

    Charter School Innovation Series: Nurturing Future Healthcare Heroes
    Aug 8 2024
    This episode of the Get Schooled on Public Education podcast spotlights two schools dedicated to preparing nurses to enter rewarding careers in the medical field. Amidst a national shortage of healthcare workers, including nurses, these schools are nurturing the healthcare heroes of tomorrow. In our public charter school innovation series, we interviewed two school leaders to learn more about their nursing programs. We talked to Dr. Pamela McCue, a registered nurse and the CEO of Nurses Middle College (NursesMC), a network of nursing charter high schools. Their flagship school is the Rhode Island Nurses Institute Middle College. We also talked to Dr. Casey Sacks, President at BridgeValley Community and Technical College, where the Workforce Initiative for Nurses (WIN) Academy is located in West Virginia. Listen to learn more about their journeys in educational leadership, the unique features of their school models, and how students and families continue to be positively impacted.

    Key Takeaways:
    • Charter schools are free, public, and open to all.
    • Equipping nurses to join the workforce is critical in today’s healthcare environment.
    • Partnerships and community support have a huge impact on the success of nursing programs and allow students to gain hands-on experience.
    • When recruiting teachers for nursing programs, it’s best practice to select an educator who has experience in the field and passion for improving healthcare.
    Guests:
    • Dr. Pamela L. McCue, RN, CEO, Nurses Middle College (NursesMC) - Network of Nursing Charter High Schools
      • Rhode Island Nurses Institute Middle College Charter School
    • Dr. Casey Sacks, President, BridgeValley Community and Technical College
      • Workforce Initiative for Nurses (WIN) Academy in West Virginia

    Quotes

    "Charter Schools are public schools. We will enroll any student who wants to come to us." - Dr. Casey Sacks

    Families are choosing our Charter School. because of our culture. we’re delivering education through a lens of health and our culture is holistic. - Dr. Pamela L. McCue, RN

    Chapters
    00:00 - Introduction
    01:10 - Advocacy for Diverse Nursing Workforce and Education
    04:55 - Crucial Role of 100% Internship Experience in Student Development
    07:01 - Community Colleges' Impact on Tomorrow's Workforce
    08:44 - Bridging Skills Gap and Connecting Students to Jobs
    9:59 - Transitioning Beyond Traditional Education"
    12:29 - Challenging Perceptions and Embracing Growth
    13:54 - Focus on Student Support and Innovation in Nursing Program

    15:31 - Expansion Plan of Winn Academy and Search for Partnerships16:39 - Outro
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    17 mins
  • Charter School Innovation Series: Building Young Entrepreneurs

    Charter School Innovation Series: Building Young Entrepreneurs
    Aug 1 2024
    From hands-on projects to real-world connections and mentorship opportunities, the flexibility of the charter school model empowers students to own their learning. In our public charter school innovation series, we will explore different types of schools and the unique ways they serve students. In this episode of Get Schooled on Public Education, we dive into entrepreneurship education. We interviewed two school leaders who shared the inner workings of their programs. Hear more from Elizabeth Brown, principal at Ocali Charter High School in Florida and Dr. Wayne Jones, CEO of Penn Hills Charter School of Entrepreneurship in Pennsylvania on how they are building the next generation of young entrepreneurs.

    Episode Takeaways:
    • Charter schools are free, public, and open to all.
    • The charter school model gives teachers the autonomy to personalize education for students.
    • Entrepreneurship education equips students with skills to take ownership of their futures.
    • When recruiting teachers for entrepreneurship programs, it is best practice to select an educator who has experience with owning a business to enhance the program.
    • Parental and community support help students make real-life connections to what they are learning.
    Guests
    Elizabeth Brown, Principal, Ocali Charter High School in Ocala, FLDr. Wayne Jones, CEO, Penn Hills Charter School of Entrepreneurship in Pittsburg, PAQuote:
    • “If we can help to develop the students entrepreneurial mindset and thinking, they can use these skills and this knowledge to change the trajectory of their future.”
      • Dr. Wayne Jones, CEO, Penn Hills Charter School of Entrepreneurship in Pennsylvania
    • “For every student that is walking in our building, I know their stories…and I know their parents’ stories as well.”
      • Elizabeth Brown, Principal, Ocali Charter High School in Florida
    Chapters:
    00:00 - Introduction
    00:32 - Cultivated Lands Offering Plots for Gardening Produce
    02:03 - Empowering Residents: Fresh Produce and Student Partnerships
    03:08 - Fostering Entrepreneurial Mindsets for Student Success
    04:09 - Marvin's Candy Locker: Balancing Business with School Guidelines
    05:58 - Brown's Strategy: Education Rooted in Love, OBI Program
    07:16 - Designing the Ultimate Backpack: Student Project Journey
    08:33 - Critical Business Skills for Long-Term Success.
    10:06 - Expanding Charter Schools: Seeking Support and Mentorship
    10:58 - Charter School Innovations: New Opportunities for Students
    11:07 - Outro

    Featured in the Episode

    Elizabeth Brown
    Principal at Ocali Charter High School
    Website: https://www.ocalicharterhighschool.com/


    Dr. Wayne Jones
    CEO, Penn Hills Charter School of Entrepreneurship in Pittsburg, PA
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wayne-jones/



    Powered by Heartcastmedia
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    11 mins
  • Student Voices in Charter School Advocacy

    Student Voices in Charter School Advocacy
    May 13 2024
    Raise Your Voice! That’s the theme for the 2024 National Charter Schools Week celebration (NCSW). The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools is thrilled to uplift the voices fighting for more students across the nation to have access to a high-quality public school education. During NCSW, the National Alliance honored seven changemakers who’ve gone the extra mile to meet the needs of students, families, and their communities. One of our changemakers, Daniyal Hussain, who is a senior at Cottonwood Classical Preparatory School in New Mexico joined the podcast to share how he used his voice to create positive change.


    Episode Takeaways:
    • National Charter Schools Week is an annual event to celebrate charter schools and the contributions to public education.
    • Student voice is vital to a school’s environment and encourages students to take ownership of their learning and impact their communities.
    • The 2024 National Charter School Changemakers have played a critical role in driving positive change to meet the unique needs of students in public education.

    Quotes

    "Education reform advocacy is vital for daily life and can inspire students to pursue passions and careers in civic education." - Daniyal Hussain

    "STEAM teaches teamwork, communication, resilience, and learning from failures." - Daniyal Hussain


    Featured in the Episode

    Daniyal Hussain
    Senior at Cottonwood Classical Preparatory School in New Mexico
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniyal-hussain/


    Chapters
    00:00 - Introduction
    02:25 - Faculty support and opportunities in education
    05:08 - The Impact of Student Advocacy
    07:20 - Advocating for community and education
    10:23 - Importance of Securing IB Test Funding
    11:36 - Advocacy club seeks STEAM network funding
    14:05 - Funding needs for civic education program
    15:36 - Nurturing Constitutional Understanding
    17:37 - Future plans: University of New Mexico and advocacy
    18:44 - Outro
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    19 mins
  • Charter Schools Knock It Out of the Park: Parents Want Public School Options

    Charter Schools Knock It Out of the Park: Parents Want Public School Options
    Dec 11 2023
    More than 300,000 students were enrolled in charter schools beginning from the 2019-2020 school year up to the 2022-2023 school year—a nine percent increase. In December of 2023, the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools released a new report: Believing in Public Education: A Demographic and State-level Analysis of Public Charter School and District Public School Enrollment Trends. The co-author of the report and senior director of policy, research, and evaluation at the National Alliance joined the podcast to discuss the findings.


    Episode Takeaways:
    • Charter school enrollment continues to grow—a nine percent increase between 2019-2020 school year up to the 2022-2023 school year.
    • Charter School student enrollment growth outpaced state population trends.
    • Parents want public school options.
    • Enrollment Trends: Analyzing Growth and Decline
    • Factors Driving Charter School Enrollment
    • Demographic Shifts in Charter School Enrollment
    • Connection between Enrollment and Population Changes

    Quotes

    "The pandemic has shown that every sector must prove itself and deliver the best for our children." - Drew Jacobs

    "Let's envision and pursue the essential evolution of education together as a united community in the education realm."- Drew Jacobs


    Featured in the Episode

    Drew Jacobs
    Senior Director Of Policy, Research, And Evaluation At The National Alliance For Public Charter Schools
    Website: https://publiccharters.org/members/drew-jacobs/

    Chapters

    00:00 - Introduction
    01:18 - Empowering Students and Families: Tracking Enrollment Choices
    06:12 - Resetting the Landscape: Declining District Enrollment, Growing Charters
    09:28 - Accountability and Autonomy: The Promise of Charter Schools
    12:22 - Intensity Variations and Surpassing Expectations in Hispanic Student Growth
    14:30 - Unraveling COVID's Impact: Population Shifts and Relocation from Major Cities
    18:04 - Dominating Enrollment Trends: The Rise of Hispanic Students in Charter Schools
    20:23 - Charter Schools Leading the Way in Filling Learning Gaps
    21:14 - Seizing Opportunities: Excellence and Innovation in Charter Schools
    22:02 - Core to Our Sector: Embracing Innovation in Every Aspect
    24:31 - Delivering for Kids: Highlighting the Importance Revealed during the Pandemic
    25:45 - Conclusion

    Produced by Heartcast Media
    https://www.heartcastmedia.com
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    27 mins
  • Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month feat. Dr. Narciso Garcia

    Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month feat. Dr. Narciso Garcia
    Oct 6 2023
    A purpose in life and a reason for learning, those are the core values at Vanguard Academy. The public charter school serves grades PreK-3 through 12 across three cities in Texas. The superintendent of schools, Dr. Narciso Garcia, joined the Get Schooled on Public Education Podcast to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. Dr. Garcia discussed his passion for education and the ways his background and experiences as a leader of color impacts the students and communities they serve in an interview conducted by the National Alliance for Public Charter School’s senior manager of government relations, Marlon Greatrex.

    Key Takeaways:
    • Public charter schools across the country serve 1.3 million Hispanic and Latino students and their families.
    • 40% of Hispanic parents in the U.S. strongly agree they want public school options for their children (see report).
    • Charter Schools help families, including those from marginalized communities, gain access to a high quality public education
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    44 mins
  • Something Has to Change: Insights from New Teacher Survey

    Something Has to Change: Insights from New Teacher Survey
    Aug 22 2023
    The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools commissioned the Harris Poll to conduct a national survey of public school teachers to gain insight on their experiences, thoughts, and motivations for staying or leaving the classroom. Both charter and district teachers shared their reality in the classroom—and the majority of educators agree, something needs to change in order to recruit and retain teachers. The National Alliance’s senior vice president of communications and marketing, Debbie Veney, the senior advisor for school support, George Parker, and Rebecca Purser the research manager at Harris Poll joined the Get Schooled on Public Education podcast to discuss the findings.

    Episode Takeaways:
    • Teachers feel that something needs to change in public education in order to retain and recruit educators
    • Teachers want their voices to be heard and valued by those who can take action on their feedback
    • Many charter school teachers say they are as or more motivated than when they initially entered the profession
    https://www.publiccharters.org/our-work/publications/listen-to-your-teacher

    Featured in the Episode

    George Parker
    Senior Advisor for School Support
    Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-parker-3b518033/

    Rebecca Purser
    Research Manager at Harris Poll
    Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-purser1/

    Debbie Veney
    The National Alliance’s Senior Vice President of communications and marketing
    Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debbie-veney-8969a93/

    Quotes

    “Quality teaching and learning rely on this foundation. Without it, education's quality suffers."- George Parker

    "In the face of challenges, teachers are embracing adaptation to provide an enriching educational journey that complies with the law."- Debbie Veney

    "Driven by a passion to make a difference in children's lives, teachers find their strength tested by the school environment, which can either uplift or challenge their commitment to this noble profession."-Rebecca Purser

    Chapters
    00:06 - Introduction
    02:53 - Exploring Insights from a US District and Charter Teacher Survey
    04:01 - Navigating Data Complexity: Unveiling Key Insights in Education
    06:20 - Fostering Teacher Respect, Support, and Effective Discipline Solutions
    08:12 - Addressing the Core Issue: Prioritizing Student Behavior Solutions
    11:24 - Unveiling the Numbers: Teachers' Perspective on Cultural Shifts
    13:28 - Nurturing and Sustaining Teacher Motivation Over Time
    16:10 - Unveiling the Passion and Values of Charter School Educators
    18:07 - Autonomy and Innovation: Catalysts for Teacher Motivation
    19:26 - Agility and Efficient Policy Implementation in Charter School Settings
    22:11 - The Unique Teacher Experience Offered by Charter Schools
    23:32 - Conclusion

    Produced by Heartcast Media
    https://www.heartcastmedia.com
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    24 mins