Providing Choice: A Florida Charter School Alliance Podcast

  Speaking with Razia Ali Hamm, Founding board member and Principal Constellation Charter School and an FCSA School Leaders Fellow.    FCSA's Lynn Norman-Teck speaks with Razia Ali Hamm about her journey to open Constellation Charter School, a parent/educator-led and community-supported initiative to bring Public Waldorf education to Alachua County, Florida. The curriculum supports children on their journey to reaching their full potential in the physical, emotional, academic, artistic, and social realms of being -- a formula that's reaping great results.   To learn more about Constellation Charter School, visit  https://www.constellationchartergnv.org/   Learn more about the FCSA's School Leaders Fellowship here:  https://flcharterschool.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/SLF-PPT-w-quotes.pdf The voice of the charter school movement, the Florida Charter School Alliance (FCSA) is non-profit, member-driven organization. Our mission is to improve student achievement, teacher quality, and promote parental choice by advocating for, supporting, defending, and collaborating with public charter schools. There are more than 341,900 public charter school students in Florida. If Florida charter schools were a district, it would be the 2nd largest school district in the state. #FloridaCharterSchoolAlliance #FCSA www.flcharteralliance.org

On this episode of Providing Choice, we speak with educator, former public school principal and vice chair of the Senate Appropriation Subcommittee on Education, Senator Manny Diaz, Jr. The Senator talks about the upcoming 2021 legislative session, the 21-22 state budget, and why he supports education choice. Providing Choice is a Florida Charter School Alliance podcast. Episodes highlight charter school leaders, educators, governing board members, stakeholders, prospective founders, students and parents, to provide a better understanding of the Charter School movement in Florida. The Florida Alliance is a non-profit charter school support and advocacy organization. Our mission is to increase student achievement and meet the demand for parental choice by assisting high quality public charter schools in Florida.   Visit our website at flcharteralliance.org Follow us on twitter at twitter.com/FLcharter Follow/Like us on Facebook at Facebook.com/Choice.FCSA

In celebration of National School Choice Week 2018, we spoke with three seniors at Mater Academy Charter School who were recently accepted to Wellesley College, a prestigious private university in Massachusetts. Thanks to school choice, their parents were able to choose a middle/high school that best fit their child’s needs. At Mater Academy, these young ladies were encouraged to reach for the stars -- their challenging curriculum, supportive faculty, and vibrant college-bound culture prepared them for Wellesley and beyond. Listen here. Providing Choice is a Florida Charter School Alliance podcast. Episodes highlight charter school leaders, educators, governing board members, stakeholders, prospective founders, students and parents, to provide a better understanding of the Charter School movement in Florida. The Florida Alliance is a non-profit charter school support and advocacy organization. Our mission is to increase student achievement and meet the demand for parental choice by assisting high quality public charter schools in Florida.   Visit our website at flcharteralliance.org Follow us on twitter at twitter.com/FLcharter Follow/Like us on Facebook at Facebook.com/Choice.FCSA

In honor of National School Choice Week, we want to highlight two spectacular charter school teachers, who returned to their Alma Mater to teach: Aiysha Everett and Courtney Herbert. These two young women are making a big impact on their community -- teaching at @Somerset Prep Academy Middle and Somerset Academy Miramar Charter School and connecting with students through a shared experience. #AiyshaEverett #CourtneyHerbert #SomersetPrepAcademyMiddle #FCSC22 #SomersetAcademyMiramarCharterSchool #fcsc22 #charter #parents #schoolchoice #parentalchoice #charterschool #parentpower #charterschools #educationchoice #Education #FCSA #FloridaCharterSchool #FloridaCharterSchoolAlliance  The voice of the charter school movement, the Florida Charter School Alliance (FCSA) is non-profit, member-driven organization. Our mission is to improve student achievement, teacher quality, and promote parental choice by advocating for, supporting, defending, and collaborating with public charter schools. Our member schools serve approximately 58% of the charter school student population in Florida and run the gamut of choice educational programs – ranging from urban to rural campuses, from programs specializing in exceptional students or drop-off prevention to unique classical curriculum, and college-prep programs in high-need areas. Yet all our member schools have a common thread – a steadfast commitment to raising the bar on public education and providing a quality education option to the children and communities they serve. There are more than 341,900 public charter school students in Florida. If Florida charter schools were a district, it would be the 2nd largest school district in the state. #FloridaCharterSchoolAlliance #FCSA www.flcharteralliance.org

Ashley Cary from Hubrich Construction spoke with FCSA about their unique approach to school facility development -- streamlining the financing, design and construction of educational charter school facilities into a timely, cost-effective and high quality process. Their work begins with preparing the infrastructure, then continuing to manage a project through to the final completion and occupancy for an exceptional outcome. #HubrichConstruction #charter #parents #schoolchoice #parentalchoice #charterschool #parentpower #charterschools #educationchoice #Education #FCSA #FloridaCharterSchool #FloridaCharterSchoolAlliance 

TechnologyLab, a FCSA Marketplace partner, is the go-to IT experts for many charter schools. Their team not only provides simplified and effective IT solutions for schools but their research and development specialists understand what charter school teachers and students need in the classroom today and what they'll need in the future. Learn more about TechnologyLab on our Marketplace page at flcharteralliance.org. The voice of the charter school movement, the Florida Charter School Alliance (FCSA) is non-profit, member-driven organization. Our mission is to improve student achievement, teacher quality, and promote parental choice by advocating for, supporting, defending, and collaborating with public charter schools. Our member schools serve approximately 58% of the charter school student population in Florida and run the gamut of choice educational programs – ranging from urban to rural campuses, from programs specializing in exceptional students or drop-off prevention to unique classical curriculum, and college-prep programs in high-need areas. Yet all our member schools have a common thread – a steadfast commitment to raising the bar on public education and providing a quality education option to the children and communities they serve. There are more than 341,900 public charter school students in Florida. If Florida charter schools were a district, it would be the 2nd largest school district in the state. #FloridaCharterSchoolAlliance #FCSA www.flcharteralliance.org    

FCSA got a chance to broadcast LIVE from the Academica Media booth at the 2022 Florida Charter School Conference and here's our talk with Dr. Tony Arza of the District/Charter Collaborative. The FCSA developed the Collaborative with a grant from FLDOE.  The voice of the charter school movement, the Florida Charter School Alliance (FCSA) is non-profit, member-driven organization. Our mission is to improve student achievement, teacher quality, and promote parental choice by advocating for, supporting, defending, and collaborating with public charter schools. Our member schools serve approximately 58% of the charter school student population in Florida and run the gamut of choice educational programs – ranging from urban to rural campuses, from programs specializing in exceptional students or drop-off prevention to unique classical curriculum, and college-prep programs in high-need areas. Yet all our member schools have a common thread – a steadfast commitment to raising the bar on public education and providing a quality education option to the children and communities they serve. There are more than 341,900 public charter school students in Florida. If Florida charter schools were a district, it would be the 2nd largest school district in the state. #FloridaCharterSchoolAlliance #FCSA www.flcharteralliance.org

FCSA got a chance to broadcast live from the Academica Media booth at the 2022 Florida Charter School Conference. Here's our talk with Julie Stewart, Vice Principal of Everglades Preparatory Academy and 2022 School Leaders Fellowship graduate#Charterschool #FCSC22 #fcsc22 #charter #parents #schoolchoice #parentalchoice #charterschool #parentpower #charterschools #educationchoice #Education #FCSA #FloridaCharterSchool #FloridaCharterSchoolAlliance  The voice of the charter school movement, the Florida Charter School Alliance (FCSA) is non-profit, member-driven organization. Our mission is to improve student achievement, teacher quality, and promote parental choice by advocating for, supporting, defending, and collaborating with public charter schools. Our member schools serve approximately 58% of the charter school student population in Florida and run the gamut of choice educational programs – ranging from urban to rural campuses, from programs specializing in exceptional students or drop-off prevention to unique classical curriculum, and college-prep programs in high-need areas. Yet all our member schools have a common thread – a steadfast commitment to raising the bar on public education and providing a quality education option to the children and communities they serve. There are more than 341,900 public charter school students in Florida. If Florida charter schools were a district, it would be the 2nd largest school district in the state. #FloridaCharterSchoolAlliance #FCSA www.flcharteralliance.org

Andy Hernandez Salazar, Jr just graduated from EdVenture Charter School in Palm Beach County, an ESE Center High School for students who struggle to make progress in a traditional school setting. We spoke with Andy about his experience at EdVenture Charter School, his desire to help others, and plans for the future. He recently earned a Serv Safe Food Handler certification and plans to attend Palm Beach State College. A straight A student with a 4.0 GPS, Andy voluntarily arrives at school early each morning to assist the kitchen staff with prep and set up and checks in on classmates throughout the day. "I take care of every student like they're part of my family. When he is not at school -- which he calls his second home. When not at school, Andy participates in a bowling league and cares for his many pets. "In the short time that Andy has been at EVCS he has encountered several unfortunate life experiences, including the sudden death of his mother. With all that life has thrown his way, Andy never allowed his negative experiences to derail him. Andy is a bright light at EVCS his resiliency is inspiring," says Barbara Fitz, Executive Director, EVCS. On this episode of Providing Choice, meet Andy https://www.edventurecharter.org/ #CharterGrad #Classof2022

Celebrating National Charter Schools Week,  FCSA Executive Director Lynn Norman-Teck talks to Charter School alumni  Yenesis Alvarez & Stephanie Consuegra about their experiences in college and how their Charter High School experience at Mater High prepared them for higher learning.  #NationalCharterSchoolsWeek #CharterLove #CharterSchoolsWeek #parentpower #floridacharterschoolalliance #FCSA #MaterAcademy #MaterMiddleandHigh   The voice of the charter school movement, the Florida Charter School Alliance (FCSA) is non-profit, member-driven organization. Our mission is to improve student achievement, teacher quality, and promote parental choice by advocating for, supporting, defending, and collaborating with public charter schools. Our member schools serve approximately 58% of the charter school student population in Florida and run the gamut of choice educational programs – ranging from urban to rural campuses, from programs specializing in exceptional students or drop-off prevention to unique classical curriculum, and college-prep programs in high-need areas. Yet all our member schools have a common thread – a steadfast commitment to raising the bar on public education and providing a quality education option to the children and communities they serve. There are more than 341,900 public charter school students in Florida. If Florida charter schools were a district, it would be the 2nd largest school district in the state. #FloridaCharterSchoolAlliance #FCSA www.flcharteralliance.org

 North Miami Beach Commissioner Daniela Jean invited students from SLAM North to a “Ladies who lead” breakfast recently where local politicians discussed the importance of public service.  On this episode, three SLAM North students talk about the event and how it impacted and inspired them. The voice of the charter school movement, the Florida Charter School Alliance (FCSA) is non-profit, member-driven organization. Our mission is to improve student achievement, teacher quality, and promote parental choice by advocating for, supporting, defending, and collaborating with public charter schools.   Our member schools serve approximately 58% of the charter school student population in Florida and run the gamut of choice educational programs – ranging from urban to rural campuses, from programs specializing in exceptional students or drop-off prevention to unique classical curriculum, and college-prep programs in high-need areas. Yet all our member schools have a common thread – a steadfast commitment to raising the bar on public education and providing a quality education option to the children and communities they serve.   There are more than 341,900 public charter school students in Florida. If Florida charter schools were a district, it would be the 2nd largest school district in the state.   www.flcharteralliance.org    

On this episode, we spoke Dr. Leonard Jacobskind, Director of Graduate Admissions at Nova Southeastern University’s Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice. Their program provide opportunities for teachers to further their education, become more knowledgeable in a subject area for their students, and those that may be looking for leadership positions. Plus…FCSA member school teachers and admin may qualify for a 20% tuition scholarship. www.education.nova.edu   The voice of the charter school movement, the Florida Charter School Alliance (FCSA) is non-profit, member-driven organization. Our mission is to improve student achievement, teacher quality, and promote parental choice by advocating for, supporting, defending, and collaborating with public charter schools.   Our member schools serve approximately 58% of the charter school student population in Florida and run the gamut of choice educational programs – ranging from urban to rural campuses, from programs specializing in exceptional students or drop-off prevention to unique classical curriculum, and college-prep programs in high-need areas. Yet all our member schools have a common thread – a steadfast commitment to raising the bar on public education and providing a quality education option to the children and communities they serve.   There are more than 341,900 public charter school students in Florida. If Florida charter schools were a district, it would be the 2nd largest school district in the state.   www.flcharteralliance.org  

On this episode of Providing Choice, we had a great conversation with Karla Rodriguez, Principal, and Paola Espinosa, Assistant Principal, at AcadeMir Charter School in Miami Dade County. We spoke about their National Blue Ribbon Award, building a great relationship with parents, and lessons learned during the pandemic. #CharterSchools #Education #FloridaCharterSchools Hosted by the FCSA's Lynn Norman-Teck, Providing Choice is a Florida Charter School Alliance podcast. Episodes highlight charter school leaders, educators, governing board members, stakeholders, prospective founders, students and parents, to provide a better understanding of the Charter School movement in Florida. The Florida Alliance is a non-profit charter school support and advocacy organization. Our mission is to increase student achievement and meet the demand for parental choice by assisting high quality public charter schools in Florida. Visit our website at flcharteralliance.org Follow us on twitter at twitter.com/FLcharter Follow/Like us on Facebook at Facebook.com/Choice.FCSA

In September 2021, the Florida Charter School Alliance – in partnership with the Florida Department of Education – launched the District/Charter Collaborative. The first initiative of its kind in Florida, the Collaborative brings together district and charter school educational leaders to share best practices. We spoke with Raphael Arza, who is coordinating the District and Charter Collaborative with the Florida Charter School Alliance in partnership with the Florida Department of Education. Please have a listen and for more just click on the link below. https://flcharterschool.org/several-district-charter-collaboration-meetings-scheduled-for-september-2021/   Hosted by the FCSA's Lynn Norman-Teck, Providing Choice is a Florida Charter School Alliance podcast. Episodes highlight charter school leaders, educators, governing board members, stakeholders, prospective founders, students and parents, to provide a better understanding of the Charter School movement in Florida. The Florida Alliance is a non-profit charter school support and advocacy organization. Our mission is to increase student achievement and meet the demand for parental choice by assisting high quality public charter schools in Florida. Visit our website at flcharteralliance.org Follow us on twitter at twitter.com/FLcharter Follow/Like us on Facebook at Facebook.com/Choice.FCSA  

Tunji Williams is a passionate educator and charter school principal. When a Congressional Representative attacked charter schools in an op-ed, Mr. Williams fired back – sharing facts about the charter school he oversees and the community it serves. “We serve a low-income, minority-majority population. About 90 percent of our 586 students are Black and zoned to attend Title I district schools. Our K-5 elementary school earned an A grade from the state prior to the pandemic, and the middle school received a B,” Williams explains in the op-ed published by the Florida Times-Union. Click here to read his op-ed.    https://flcharterschool.org/guest-column-charter-schools-are-good-for-our-community/ Hosted by the FCSA's Lynn Norman-Teck, Providing Choice is a Florida Charter School Alliance podcast. Episodes highlight charter school leaders, educators, governing board members, stakeholders, prospective founders, students and parents, to provide a better understanding of the Charter School movement in Florida. The Florida Alliance is a non-profit charter school support and advocacy organization. Our mission is to increase student achievement and meet the demand for parental choice by assisting high quality public charter schools in Florida. Visit our website at flcharteralliance.org Follow us on twitter at twitter.com/FLcharter Follow/Like us on Facebook at Facebook.com/Choice.FCSA  

In celebration of the 25th anniversary of charter schools in Florida, we spoke with those involved in the movement. On this episode, we hear from Charles Gibson – a charter school board member, attorney and parent – about what charter schools offer the communities they serve. To learn more about the Theodore R. and Thelma A. Gibson Charter School, visit: https://www.gibsoncharterschool.com/ #Charter Schools #TheodoreGibson #ThelmaGibson Hosted by the FCSA's Lynn Norman-Teck, Providing Choice is a Florida Charter School Alliance podcast. Episodes highlight charter school leaders, educators, governing board members, stakeholders, prospective founders, students and parents, to provide a better understanding of the Charter School movement in Florida. The Florida Alliance is a non-profit charter school support and advocacy organization. Our mission is to increase student achievement and meet the demand for parental choice by assisting high quality public charter schools in Florida. Visit our website at flcharteralliance.org Follow us on twitter at twitter.com/FLcharter Follow/Like us on Facebook at Facebook.com/Choice.FCSA

On this episode of Providing Choice we talk to Orlando Muñoz, president of Eagle Globe Protective Services.  His team of Guardian-trained personnel has been providing charter schools with uninterrupted guardian presence. A retired law enforcement officer, Mr. Muñoz is a valuable resource for the Alliance and our members. For more information about Eagle Globe Protective Services: omunoz@egps-us.com www.egps-us.com   Providing Choice is a Florida Charter School Alliance podcast. Episodes highlight charter school leaders, educators, governing board members, stakeholders, prospective founders, students and parents, to provide a better understanding of the Charter School movement in Florida. The Florida Alliance is a non-profit charter school support and advocacy organization. Our mission is to increase student achievement and meet the demand for parental choice by assisting high quality public charter schools in Florida.   Visit our website at flcharteralliance.org Follow us on twitter at twitter.com/FLcharter Follow/Like us on Facebook at Facebook.com/Choice.FCSA   

We had a great conversation with three seniors at Pinecrest Preparatory Middle High who recently earned a two-year college degree. The students,  Kyra Castro, Jasmine Rodriguez, and Lauren Souto, earned enough dual enrollment credits to graduate from Miami Dade College just before their high school graduation. They're headed to the University of Florida, Syracuse University, and Florida International University in the fall. We spoke about teachers who inspired them, Robotics and Coding, high school life during the pandemic, and what's great about their charter school. Opened in 2003, Pinecrest Preparatory Middle High is a high performing 6-12 public charter school in Miami-Dade County.  Providing Choice is a Florida Charter School Alliance podcast. Episodes highlight charter school leaders, educators, governing board members, stakeholders, prospective founders, students and parents, to provide a better understanding of the Charter School movement in Florida. The Florida Alliance is a non-profit charter school support and advocacy organization. Our mission is to increase student achievement and meet the demand for parental choice by assisting high quality public charter schools in Florida.   Visit our website at flcharteralliance.org Follow us on twitter at twitter.com/FLcharter Follow/Like us on Facebook at Facebook.com/Choice.FCSA

Cielo Acosta is an extraordinary young woman. At 15, she took a leap of faith and enrolled in a brand new charter school in her neighborhood. She is now a teacher there -- working with students that are growing up in her neighborhood and who face the challenges she did not so long ago.   That charter school, SLAM! Miami, became her second home and its teachers and administrators became mentors who encouraged her and, she says, saw something in her that she hadn’t discovered yet . Cielo’s story is a testament to the power of a great charter school and why we must continue to protect school choice – especially for under-served communities.   #SchoolChoiceWeek   Providing Choice is a Florida Charter School Alliance podcast. Episodes highlight charter school leaders, educators, governing board members, stakeholders, prospective founders, students and parents, to provide a better understanding of the Charter School movement in Florida. The Florida Alliance is a non-profit charter school support and advocacy organization. Our mission is to increase student achievement and meet the demand for parental choice by assisting high quality public charter schools in Florida.   Visit our website at flcharteralliance.org Follow us on twitter at twitter.com/FLcharter Follow/Like us on Facebook at Facebook.com/Choice.FCSA

When the pandemic hit, schools had to pivot quickly to implement remote learning programs, train educators, walk parents through the process, and make sure students didn't fall behind. Charter schools were able to make the transition and many, like Somerset Silver Palms, took a giant leap forward in their response to the academic, social, and emotional needs of the families they serve. In this episode, we speak with Kerri Ann O’Sullivan, Principal of Somerset Silver Palm - a k-12 public charter school in Miami-Dade County - and…her daughter, Maddi, a senior at that school. They talk about their experience with remote learning and returning to campus, and what it’s like to be a principal and a student during the pandemic. Providing Choice is a Florida Charter School Alliance podcast. Episodes highlight charter school leaders, educators, governing board members, stakeholders, prospective founders, students and parents, to provide a better understanding of the Charter School movement in Florida. The Florida Alliance is a non-profit charter school support and advocacy organization. Our mission is to increase student achievement and meet the demand for parental choice by assisting high quality public charter schools in Florida.   Visit our website at flcharteralliance.org Follow us on twitter at twitter.com/FLcharter Follow/Like us on Facebook at Facebook.com/Choice.FCSA