Education Matters With MySchoolOptions

Whitley Yates shares her personal educational journey and the process of choosing the best educational option for her daughter. She discusses the challenges, barriers, and considerations involved in making this decision, as well as the impact of school choice programs on public schools. The conversation also delves into the importance of educational freedom, diversity in school environments, and t...

In this enlightening episode of "Education Matters with MySchoolOptions," Adam O'Doherty, the President and CEO of the United Way of Northwest Indiana, delves into his personal journey, career path, and the impactful initiatives led by his organization. Focusing on education and the transformative power of school choice, Adam discusses the significant challenges and opportunities within the Northw...

Education Matters with MySchoolOptions host Cesar Roman is joined in this episode by Inga Shannon, a judge at the Gary City Court and founder of the non-profit Project Rebuild Foundation. Inga discusses her work in the community and the importance of advocacy for school choice. She shares a heartwarming story of a young woman whose life was transformed through the drug court program and the love o...

Garrett Ballengee from the Cardinal Institute discusses education reform and school choice in West Virginia. The state has a high poverty rate and a struggling education system. The Cardinal Institute aims to build the 'West Virginia miracle' through four pillars: education freedom, economic freedom, workforce freedom, and a culture of freedom. They have been successful in passing comprehensive sc...

In honor of Charter School Week, Education Matters with MySchoolOptions is bringing you this conversation with host Cesar Roman and guests Jacqueline Kronk, CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of St. Joseph County, and Jeremy Lugbill, Superintendent for Career and Success Academy Network of Public Schools in South Bend, Indiana. The conversation explores the partnership between the Boys and Girls Club...

John Elcesser, the executive director of Indiana Non-Public Education Association (INPEA), discusses his background in non-public education and the importance of school choice advocacy. He highlights the impact of non-public schools in Indiana and the need for diverse educational options. Elcesser emphasizes the role of advocacy in protecting and expanding school choice programs, and the importanc...

Sarah and returning guest Molly from IQE cover all the news that’s fit to print about school choice around Indiana and the nation in this first news roundup segment! The two discuss the landscape of school choice in Indiana and the importance of policy and grassroots efforts in advancing school choice initiatives. They highlight the collaboration between policy and grassroots teams in achieving sc...

Cesar is joined by Monique Love, a mother of four and an educator specializing in reading, who shares her unique perspective on education. She discusses her journey from being a public school teacher to becoming a homeschooling parent. Monique's decision to homeschool was influenced by her experiences in the school system and her desire to provide the best education for her children. She also talk...

Sarah is joined by Lorenza Jara Pastrick, Principal of the Bishop Knoll Institute, who shares her personal background and journey through education to end up as principal of her alma mater, the Bishop Knoll Institute. She discusses her experiences and the immense personal and professional rewards she has received by shepherding so many children in the region through their Catholic education journe...

Sarah is joined by Marcie Brown Carter, Executive Director of the Indiana Charter School Network, who shares her personal background and journey in education. She discusses her experience working with Governor Mitch Daniels and Dr. Tony Bennett, highlighting the accomplishments and challenges they faced in education policy over the course of her tenure. Marcie explains the role of the Indiana Char...

In this conversation, School Choice parent advocate and medical momma Erica Hunt shares her family's journey in finding the right educational environment for their daughter Ella, who has special needs. They initially explored private school for a faith-based education but faced challenges as Ella's needs became more complex, resulting in the difficult decision to transition to homeschooling and, l...

Betsy J. Wiley, President and CEO of the Institute for Quality Education, discusses her background, community involvement, and the challenges and solutions facing kids and families today in K-12 education. She highlights the importance of community engagement in education and the need for a focus on literacy and numeracy. Betsy also discusses the initiatives and programs undertaken by the Institut...

This episode of Education Matters explores the landscape of public education in Indiana. Education Matters Co-host Sarah Milligan is joined by the Institute for Quality Education’s lobbyist Molly Collins, discussing the historical evolution of education in the state, from its agrarian roots through the industrial revolution to the present-day information age. The two spend time highlighting the im...

Mary Eaker, the executive director of the Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO) program at IQE, shares her school choice journey and the evolution of the SGO program. She discusses the impact of school choice on students and families, as well as the challenges and misconceptions surrounding the concept. Mary emphasizes the importance of equitable access to quality education and the role of advoc...