Great Leaders = Great Schools

As schools begin planning for the new school year, few conversations are more important than how we support students with disabilities and the educators who serve them. In this technical episode of Great Leaders, Great Schools, Jessica Chapman sits down with Reagan Chalmers, Director of Exceptional Student Education at the Florida Charter Institute, for a practical conversation designed specifical...

In Episode 25 of Great Leaders, Great Schools , Jessica Chapman sits down with Wesley Locke, principal and CEO of Spring Creek Charter School in Paisley, Florida. Spring Creek was Florida’s first conversion charter school. Wesley shares the story behind Spring Creek’s deep community roots and the relationships that have shaped its culture, leadership, and long-term success. Drawing on his service...

In this episode of Great Leaders, Great Schools , FCI's Jessica Chapman and special co-host Ramsey speak with Dr. April Smith, first-year principal of Treasure Village Montessori in Islamorada, Florida. Dr. Smith reflects on stepping into leadership at a K–8 Montessori charter school housed in a real castle in Islamorada, FL. She shares what she’s learning in her first year, how she’s prioriti...

In this episode of Great Leaders, Great Schools , Jessica Chapman takes a behind-the-scenes look at the work happening through FCI Educate with guest Kathryn Perkins, leader of FCI’s Educate division. Together, they explore how meaningful professional learning can move beyond inspiration and into real implementation that impacts teachers, instructional leaders, and ultimately student outcomes. Kat...

In this episode of Great Leaders. Great Schools. , Jessica Chapman sits down with Carlos Alvarez, principal of SLAM Miami and President of the CIVICA Educational Foundation, for a powerful conversation on what it means to build more than a school. Carlos shares his journey from paraprofessional to founding charter school principal to leading a growing network of charter schools across the country,...

In this episode of Great Leaders, Great Schools, host Jessica Chapman of the Florida Charter Institute sits down with two mission-driven education leaders who are transforming what high school can look like. Dr. Karen Peck, Head of School at the State College of Florida Collegiate School in Venice, and Kelly Monod, Associate Vice President of Collegiate Schools, share how their innovative charter...

Join Jessica Chapman of the Florida Charter Institute as she sits down with Patricia Pagozalski and Ahmet Akyurek from the Tallahassee School of Math and Science - TSMS, -- a shining example of excellence in Florida’s charter schools. They explore how strong connections—between students, teachers, and the community—fuel academic success and a thriving school culture. They are a wonderful example o...

What does it take to move from the classroom to leading a school through meaningful change? In this episode of Great Leaders = Great Schools , host Jessica Chapman of the Florida Charter Institute sits down with Jessica Hill, Principal of Pinellas Preparatory Academy, to explore her inspiring journey from teacher to turnaround leader. With more than 20 years of experience across district and chart...

Host Jessica Chapman of the Florida Charter Institute welcomes Lacy Roberts and Derek Danne of Newberry Community School to Great Leaders = Great Schools for a conversation about their journey through the charter conversion process. A charter school conversion happens when an existing public school transitions into a charter school, gaining more flexibility in how it operates while still remaining...

New host Jessica Chapman sits down with Joseph Gatti and Nevin Seifert of Gulf Coast Academy of Science and Technology , an “A”-rated Florida charter school known for its hands-on, field-based learning. They share how staying true to their mission and leading with purpose has fueled lasting impact — proof that transformational leadership often happens close to home, on just one tank of gas.

Dr. Miller is a nationally recognized expert in charter school leadership, governance, and strategic planning, whose career epitomizes the relentless pursuit of excellence and impact. As the author of The Ten Indicators of High-Performing Charter Schools and a Global Gurus Top 30 Education Leader, Dr. Miller has spent over two decades helping schools build the governance and leadership capacity ne...

Johna Giordano has been the principal of the Hollywood Academy of Arts & Science (HAAS) for the past four years yet has been with HAAS for nine years. Hollywood Academy of Arts & Science (HAAS) is committed to educational excellence every time. HAAS is relentless in pursuing excellence in visual and performing arts and STEM education for our growing leaders. Opened in 2004 with 400 student...

In this episode of Great Leaders, Great Schools , host Dana Vignale welcomes Jeff Skowronek, Executive Director of Pepin Academies, to discuss how this innovative charter school network empowers students with learning disabilities to thrive. Jeff shares his philosophy of "making the box bigger"—leveraging education, therapeutic services, and inclusive practices to meet students where they are and...

Ann Eisenberg is a founder and executive director of Palm Beach School for Autism. Ann is fiercely committed to providing an innovative education and behavioral support to individuals with ASD. Palm Beach School for Autism was founded in 2003 by a group of parents who were seeking a better education for their children with autism.  The founders of the school wanted a program that would provide ind...

In 2011, Galileo School for Gifted Learning opened its first campus. The school's model brings gifted learning practices to all of its students to provide them with opportunities to engage fully in their education. Galileo is currently two campuses in Orlando and Sanford, serving almost 1, 400 students in grades K through 8. Michelle Nunez, Principal and CEO, took the helm shortly after and ha...

Live at the 2024 Impact Summit and Awards we are diving deep into the inspiring journey of Dr. Dogan Tozoglu, the visionary behind River City Science Academies. Known affectionately as Dr. T, he shares his unique path from a newcomer evaluating programs in Leon County to founding a network of top-performing charter schools in Duval County. This episode explores the relentless perseverance, strateg...

In 2000, Suzanne Legg, founder and CEO opened the Dayspring Academy, the first charter school in Pasco County and remains the highest-performing school in the Tampa Bay area. Dayspring's growth story is nothing short of impressive, now accommodating over 1,200 students from pre-kindergarten to 12th grade across five campuses. Their latest venture, Dayspring Angeline, is slated to open its door...

In 2017, Shannon Treece, founder and executive director, opened Babcock Ranch Schools in Babcock Ranch, the first solar-powered town in America. Learn how Shannon cultivates community connections through authentic project-based learning while engaging her students in truly innovative approaches. Tune in to hear how this Level 5 leader levels up! Learn more about Babcock Ranch Schools: https://babc...

In 2022, Cameron Frazier, founder and principal, opened Becoming Collegiate Academy in Jacksonville, Florida -- the first charter school in the state that mirrors the experience of Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCU) by providing a supportive, nurturing, and self-empowering environment needed for students to develop and affirm their cultural and academic identities. Learn how Cam...

Academy for Innovative Education is the first District-managed charter school in the country. With less than two months to open on three campuses, Mrs. Vera Hirsh, the founding principal and now Head of School made the impossible possible through her wise leadership that supports growth in all of her staff. Thirteen years later, Academy for Innovative Education now serves almost 1,000 in grades K-...

" We often assume that the size of the solution has to match the size of the problem, and that's not true. Sometimes very small changes can have cascading effects in a complex environment. And suddenly so many things that look like they are larger and more intransigent and more nebulous suddenly fall into place." -- Doug Lemov Dana Vignale hosts Doug Lemov on this very special episod...

"Don't lower your expectations depending on where you're serving or who you're serving. Your results can yield just as high expectations as if you were serving students in a Title I school or serving students in West Pembroke Pines." -- Dr. Daniel Sandberg Dr. Daniel Sandberg is the Superintendent for Franklin Academy Charter Schools, a premier network of seven charter school...

" If it is about students first, then I know that we're on the right track. And so for me, I think it's trust your gut." -- Ms. Sherry Watts Ms. Sherry Watts is the very proud principal at Minneola Charter School, a neighborhood on the outskirts of Orlando, Florida. Founded in 2004 as a conversion charter school, Minneola Charter School now serves 1,750 students from Pre-kinderga...

Carlos Gonzalez is the founding principal and now Director of Schools of HIVE Preparatory, where the mission is to create a Highly Inquisitive Versatile Education that will facilitate a student-centered, adaptable learning environment. Opened in 2009 with 132 students in grades K-5, HIVE has now grown to  841 in grades K-8. Serving  students who are 94% minority and 73% on Free and Reduced Lunch,...

"They're my babies and I am their champion, and I'm their biggest cheerleader. And I just wanna find other cheerleaders for them." -- Dr. Tamara Moodie Dr. Tamara Moodie is the founding principal and executive director who saw a need to provide the highest-quality education and social services to families of children with Autism regardless of income level. What is her secret to s...