Charter School Superstars

This week, Ryan sits with Geoffrey Roehm, the Executive Director of the Launch Expeditionary Learning Charter School in Brooklyn. On this episode, Geoffrey talks about what makes his school unique and their focus on equity, sustainability, and combatting environmental racism. Geoffrey also shares some examples on what this project based/experiential learning initiative looks like. Tune in! You can...

This week, Ryan sits with Dr. Bridget Jones and Kelley Bailey, the Director of Customer Success at Scribbles Software, and the Enrollment Coordinator at Greer Middle College Charter High School. On this episode, our guests talk about Scribbles software and how this platform has helped simplify the admissions process at charter schools. Our guests also talk about the unique challenges that schools...

This week, Ryan sits with Diana Diaz-Harrison, the founder and CEO of the Mission Achievement and Success Charter School, a high performing charter in Albuquerque, New Mexico. On this episode, JoAnn talks about what makes her school special and the state of the education system in New Mexico. JoAnn also talks about the charter school movement in New Mexico and the inspiration behind creating the M...

This week, Ryan sits with Dr. Troy A. Monroe and Dr. Marie Gordon Hall, the Executive Director and the Academic Director of Jumoke Academy. On this episode, our guests talk about the uniqueness behind their schools name and how it signifies their school’s approach to education. Our guests also talk about their daily routines on campus and place an emphasis on growing teacher talent amid teacher sh...

This week, Ryan sits with Diana Diaz-Harrison, the founder and executive director of Arizona Autism Charter Schools. On this episode, Diana talks about what she loves the most about the Arizona Autism Charter Schools network and what inspired her to set this network. Diana talks about winning the Yass Prize award and their expansion plans to develop an accelerator to create autism-focused charter...

This week, Ryan sits with Shawn Young, the CEO and co-founder of Classcraft. On this episode, Shawn talks about the use of video game psychology and how a Classcraft class looks different than a traditional classroom. Shawn also talks about how gamified elements can help support non-curricular cognitive skills in students and the role of these elements with SEL. Tune in! You can also find out more...

This week, Ryan sits with Matt DeHart and Cam McKennedy, representatives from the Teach from DeHart Foundation. On this episode, the start of Teach from DeHart Foundation and their inspiration behind setting up a charter school. Our guests’ also talks about available night courses, job trainings, and career development for parents and the future of the Teach from DeHart Foundation . Tune in! You c...

This week, Ryan sits with Stefanny Andujar, a licensed clinical social worker and the manager of student support systems for the Ascend Public Charter Schools network in Brooklyn, New York. On this episode, Stefanny talks about Ascend Public Charter Schools in Brooklyn and what makes it so special. Stefanny also talks about her day-to-day work and provides advice for charter schools in organizing...

This week, Ryan sits with Adam Geller, the CEO of Edthena, a video-based teacher coaching platform. On this episode, Adam talks about Edthena and the work that he does with his company. Adam also talks about artificial intelligence and how can AI be used as a tool for professional learning and development for teachers. Tune in! You can try out Edthena’s AI professional development platform for fre...

This week, Ryan sits with Michael Barber, a celebrated education marketing expert who specializes in enrollment marketing and branding for charter schools. On this episode, Michael talks about education marketing and his work at Charter School Capital. Michael also talks about effective branding in the context of charter schools and common marketing mistakes charter schools make. Tune in! You can...

This week, Ryan sits with Rob Buelow, this week is Senior Vice President at Vector Solutions. On this episode, Rob talks about the work that he does in creating safer, healthier schools. Rob also talks about ways teachers can help students learn about school safety and prevention and shares resources available to help. Tune in! You can find out more about our guest’s work by visiting https://www.v...

This week, Ryan sits with Stephanie Taylor, the Director of Clinical Innovation at Presence . On this episode, Stephanie talks about the importance of mental health support, curriculum, and training to staff and clinicians serving students with mental health needs. Stephanie also talks shares best practices for charter school leaders and resources are available to help. Tune in! You can find out m...

This week, Ryan sits with Brooklin Trover, the National Director of Content and Implementation for Curriculum Associates. On this episode, Brooklin talks about the limitations in the conventional RTI/MTSS model and how we can re-imagine Response to Intervention to better serve students. Brooklin also talks about analyzing data through the lens of culture, communication, and commitment. Tune in! Yo...

This week, Ryan sits with JD Smith, the Director of Career Readiness at the Reach Cyber Charter School in Pennsylvania. On this episode, JD talks about the work that he does at Reach Cyber Charter School and the school’s career education curriculum. JD also talks about the importance of community partnerships in developing career education programs and shares advice for other online schools who wa...

This week, Ryan sits with Chris Klein, the Head of Education for Avantis Education. On this episode, Chris talks about the metaverse and the role that the metaverse plays in K-12 education. Chris also talks about Avanti’s world, the educational VR theme park and the future of VR in education. Tune in! Host: Ryan Kairalla (@ryankair) Producer: Ross Ulysse

This week, Ryan sits with Liliana Salazar, the National Director of Special Education and Student Support for Academica and the host of the Teach The Way They Learn podcast. On this episode, Lily talks about academic equity and addressing the COVID learning gap for students with disabilities and English language learners. Lily also talks about how to bridge that gap and shares evidence-based strat...

This week, Ryan sits with Ralph Krauss, the digital innovations director at Pinecrest Academy schools and the creator of Edutainment Learning, a virtual guest speaker program for schools. On this episode, Ralph talks about Edutainment Learning and the fascinating guests he’s had on the program. Ralph also talks about ways to start an eSports program at your school and shares exciting developments...

This week, Ryan sits down with Angie Christophe, the Producer of the 2022 National Charter School Conference. Angie talks to Ryan about what to expect at this year’s event and has some advice for new attendees to get the most out of NCSC 2022. Registration information for this year’s event can be found at ncsc.publiccharters.org. Host: Ryan Kairalla (@ryankair) Producer: Ross Ulysse

This week, Ryan sits with Alyssa Zabala, a student at the Doral Academy charter high school and the ace pitcher for Doral Academy’s softball team. On this episode, Alyssa talks about her softball career at Doral High School as a graduating senior. Alyssa also talks about how Doral Academy has prepared her for college on and off the softball diamond and how she balances athletics and academics. Tun...

This week, Ryan sits with Josh Chernikoff, an entrepreneur, strategist, and the founder of Cascade Communications. On this episode, Josh talks about the term of “breaking things” when it comes to entrepreneurship and what this concept looks like in the charter school sector. Josh also talks about disruption in education and shares insight for charter school professionals on how they can become mor...

This week, Ryan sits with Monica Strain, the HR Specialist for Training and Professional Development at Springs Charter Schools. On this episode, Monica talks about Springs Charter Schools, the schools model and what she loves the most about working there. Monica also shares practical strategies to improve teacher evaluation and Professional Development systems. Tune in! You can find out more abou...

This week, Ryan sits down with Christine McCracken, the SEL coordinator for Rowe Middle school in Chicago, Illinois. On this episode, Christine talks about what makes her school unique and SEL through the lens of Rowe Middle school. Christine also talks about restorative justice and how its implemented to help students grow academically and become more resilient. Tune in! You can find out more abo...

This week, we conclude our series of interviews live from the 2021 Florida Charter School Conference in Orlando, Florida. Ryan sits with Judy Marty, the new President of Doral College. On this episode, Judy talks about Doral College, her work on campus, and current programs available to cultivate educators and prospective students. Judy also talks about the benefits of pursuing higher education an...

This week, we continue our series of interviews live from the 2021 Florida Charter School Conference in Orlando, Florida. Ryan sits with Ralph Krauss, the digital innovations director at Pinecrest Academy schools and the creator of Edutainment. On this episode, our Ralph talks about Edutainment learning and how it involves charter schools. Ralph also talks about is work in E-sports and how it crea...

This week, we continue our series of interviews live from the 2021 Florida Charter School Conference in Orlando, Florida. Ryan sits with Idalia Suarez, the principal of Somerset Academy Oaks and Somerset Academy City Arts, and Monica Cueto, the principal of Mater Palms Academy. On this episode, our guests talk about Mater Academy and share ways the school integrates itself into the community to ma...