Charter Moms Chats

KIPP Texas—San Antonio is a network of charter schools dedicated to championing equity and chasing excellence. Allen Smith, Regional Superintendent of KIPP Texas—San Antonio, joins us to talk about celebrating students' plans for the future (including college, career, and beyond), share progress on the new KIPP Callaghan campus, and offer tips for families to enroll their students at KIPP Texas—Sa...

When a child has an anxiety disorder, parents are tasked with finding the best therapeutic fit, navigating the child’s academic experience, teaching their child to understand their needs and then advocate for them, and not forgetting to take care of themselves as people, not only as parents. Abby Hasberry, LMFT-A, shares her experience as a counselor and a mom, and offers resources for parenting k...

IDEA Public Schools is a network of tuition-free, public charter schools with 15 campuses across San Antonio, and more schools across Texas and other states. The open enrollment period for the 2023–24 school year has begun, and will continue through February 17, 2023. Carlos Benavides, Regional Vice President of Operations for IDEA Public Schools San Antonio, joins us for a discussion of how IDEA...

Every parent considers their child special, a gift, a manifest blessing. Anna Koalenz poured her love for her son, Beau, into a careful search for the right school, making a spreadsheet of 67 schools and making 16 school visits. Anna joins us to share her school search story—culminating in enrolling Beau at San Antonio Academy—and offers insight for parents and caregivers who are preparing for the...

The International Play Association's USA conference will be here in San Antonio on October 6–9, 2022, with the theme “Right to Play . . . RIGHT NOW!” Amanda McMickle, Vice President of Education at the Cibolo Center for Conservation, and Tessa Baden, play advocate, join us for a discussion of the importance of play in learning and to explain how families and educators in the San Antonio region can...

The San Antonio Philharmonic launched in August with a mission to open young minds and spirits for life. Jeremy Brimhall, Director of Education and Community Engagement at the San Antonio Philharmonic, and Peter Rubins, Vice President of the board of the San Antonio Philharmonic, join us to share about opportunities in the 2022–23 season for students and young children—and their families—to enjoy...

The Great Outdoors! Fresh air, sunshine, and time spent exploring and learning through outdoor sports, activities, and exploration are fun for children and teach them valuable life lessons beyond the classroom. Carrie Kimbell, CEO of First Tee—Greater San Antonio, David Jimenez, Education Coordinator at Phil Hardberger Park, and Alex Bailey, Founder/Executive Director of Black Outside, Inc., join...

Edwards Aquifer Authority Education Outreach Center welcomes families and school groups to learn more about water as an essential natural resource. The EAAEOC provides opportunities to learn about this amazing geological feature and the unique wildlife it supports, as well as the importance of water conservations for residents of San Antonio and the surrounding region. Sarah Valdez, EAA EOC Manage...

Arts enrichment activities help students develop self-knowledge and learn skills that will help them in the classroom, at work, and in life. Louis Cardenas, founder of The AM Project, and Jessica Beall, Marketing Assistant at SAY Sí, join us to offer tips for parents looking for after-school and weekend activities that will help children develop their creativity and self-expression while having fu...

STEM enrichment programs help children learn to work and play in our high-tech world. Richard Kissel, Chief Program Officer at The DoSeum, and Tyler Radtke, Center Director at Code Ninjas Stone Oak, join us to offer tips for parents looking for after-school and weekend activities that will help children learn advanced concepts while having fun and playing.

The AM Project is a progressive digital arts and music education program that helps youth tap into their creativity through DJing, music production, graphic design, and creative writing. Louis Cardenas, founder of the AM Project, joins us to talk about the benefits of arts integration, the range of courses and programs they offer, and how they are growing.

What games can we play with young children to help them build fine motor skills and come to school ready to learn to write? Jorge Ochoa, a school-based occupational therapist who helps students develop pre-writing skills, joins us to offer resources and tips for having fun with materials like cooked spaghetti, dried rice, play dough, and shaving cream, all while building stronger hands and prepari...

Mechiel Rozas recently joined Legacy Traditional Schools—Texas as their new superintendent. Dr. Rozas joins us to share about her experience as a teacher and leader. She will also discuss the elements of the Legacy Traditional Schools model that drew her to join the team, and what it means to her to work at a public charter school.

When parents establish open communication with their children, that is the best way to keep kids safe in a digital world. Mandy Majors and Kim Elerick, co-hosts of the nextTalk podcast, join us to offer tips about screen guidelines, teaching kids when to report to an adult, and going beyond screens to build good habits for the summer and beyond.

During the summer, when kids want to have fun and play outside, families can encourage games and activities that strengthen their children's math skills and knowledge of science. David Hubalik, Head of School at BASIS San Antonio—Jack Lewis Jr. Campus, joins us to share tips based on his experiences as a parent and educator.

Volunteering is a great way for teens to get off their screens and meet new people this summer. Students of Service (SOS) is an organization dedicated to educating San Antonio youth through community service and international travel. Amir Samandi, Executive Director of SOS, joins us to describe their programs and explain how students can get involved.

Compass Rose Dream, with a focus on medicine and medical professions, is the newest school in the Compass Rose Public Schools network. Felipe Butanda, Principal at Compass Rose Dream, and Ryane Burke, Executive Director at Compass Rose Public Schools, join us to share more about how Compass Rose Dream will support students' academic achievement and personal growth, as well as equip students with t...

Legacy Traditional Schools—Texas has two new principals: Dr. Terrica Young at Legacy Traditional School—Cibolo (opening in August 2022) and Chantrese Rainey at Legacy Traditional School—Saenz Junior High School. These dynamic leaders join us to share about the benefits of the learning model at Legacy Traditional Schools and their roles in building strong teams to provide students with a well-round...

Edgewood ISD offers a portfolio of Schools of Innovation where students can study everything from fine arts to leadership, public service, and STEAM. Theresa Salinas, Chief of Innovation at Edgewood ISD; Ida Nuñez, Principal at Roy Cisneros Elementary Leadership School for Boys; and Dr. Patricia Ortiz, Principal at Roosevelt Dual Language Academy/Roosevelt Elementary, join us to discuss the unique...

"Learning is experience. Everything else is just information," said Albert Einstein. At Anne Frank Inspire Academy, their second annual Summer Experience will offer students opportunities for skill building, adventure, and a sense of belonging in a community. Jeffery Moss, Counselor at Anne Frank Inspire Academy, and Alissa Blanton, senior at Anne Frank Inspire Academy and program assistant at AFI...

Students at Essence Prep will think critically about the world around them and become leading agents of change. Jennipha "Jae" Ricks, Chief Learning Officer and Principal of Essence Prep, dispels myths about Critical Race Theory in K-12 education and explains how Essence Prep students will learn to thrive in a system that merely intended them to survive by engaging in project-based learning, learn...

Young children who engage in play-based learning can still get a strong academic foundation. Adriana Becerra, founder of JOY Holistic Education, believes that childhood is a sacred stage in human life, and joins us to describe their approach for guiding students in meaningful play while still helping them meet academic standards.

The Girl Talk Club at Promesa Academy Charter School is a place where girls can talk about confidence, empowerment, and uplifting each other. Breanna Cadena, Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) Associate at Promesa, and Olivia Sanchez, K–3 Science Teacher at Promesa, join us to talk about how they saw themselves in their students and share about the activities and goals of the Girl Talk Club.

What are the signs that it might be time for your child to switch schools? Once you decide to make a change, what tools are available to find the right educational setting for your student? Shawn Hoffman, Director of Director of Business Development at Schola, joins us to talk about school search resources, including ScholaMatch™ and Schola's Parent Outreach Team.

Brooks Academies Virtual Instruction is a free, full-time, online school that gives students the flexibility to keep learning at home. Christina Garza, Director of Virtual Learning at Brooks Academies of Texas, joins us to describe which students are eligible for virtual instruction and how the students' schedules balance live lessons and independent work.