Providing Choice: A Florida Charter School Alliance Podcast

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...

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 #Mate...

 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-d...

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 t...

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 No...

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 w...

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...

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/ #Chart...

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-u...

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 Internatio...

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...

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 epi...

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...

On this episode, we talk with Kevin Melvin an insurance risk consultant with EPIC Charter School Practice Group -- a property, casualty and employee benefits insurance brokerage and consulting firm. A Certified School Risk Manager, Kevin understands the complexity involved in protecting Educational Institutions, like charter schools, and gives us some great advice. For more information on EPIC vis...

On this episode, we talk to Lisa Redman with Harris School Solutions about the challenges that professional development can present and the digital tools — like eWalk— that can help principals and teachers gather all data, including summative, formative and 3rd party to produce fast, easy, and reliable assessments. eWalk is also an effective cloud based classroom observation tool that allows for r...

"On this episode of Providing Choice, an FCSA Podcast. In this episode, we speak with Ed Hosler with Solix. Ed and his team at Solix are E-Rate specialists with more than 20 years of experience helping school leaders -- and libraries -- secure funds from the FCC Schools and Libraries Program, also known as the E-Rate program. " Providing Choice is a Florida Charter School Alliance podcast. Episode...

"Troy Kidder is the founder of Blue Creative Media -- an award-winning school marketing company and Florida Charter School Alliance Marketplace partner. Troy has helped hundreds of schools increase enrollment while improving communications with the community they serve. On this podcast, you'll hear tips on how to attract potential parents, how to create a winning website, and how to craft a winnin...

The FCSA spoke with Brook Rumenik, Deputy Director of the Office of Safe Schools a the Florida Department of Education about safe schools mandates. She also addresses many of the questions principals often have about compliance, drills, and other requirements. Providing Choice is a Florida Charter School Alliance podcast. Episodes highlight charter school leaders, educators, governing board member...

The 2019 Florida Charter School Conference was a huge success. The 3-day conference, hosted by the Florida Department of Education, was packed with informative workshops and an array of opportunities to network with charter school leaders and stakeholders from around the state. Click here to listen to Adam Emerson, FLDOE's Charter School Office Director and Lynn Norman-Teck, executive director of...

On this episode, Ralph Arza, FCSA's Director of Governmental Affairs talks about what happened in Tallahassee the week of April 1, 2019. This includes an update on the House and Senate budgets and the movement on the Safe Schools bill (SB7030 and HB 7093).   Providing Choice is a Florida Charter School Alliance podcast. Episodes highlight charter school leaders, educators, governing board members,...

There's a magnificent urban garden at BridgePrep Academy InterAmerican. On raised garden beds, vegetables are growing along with a love of science, respect for nature, and an appetite for learning. On this episode of Providing Choice we spoke with the school's principal, Mr. Gonzalez, and some of the students that are helping this garden grow. I hope this episode inspires every school to start a g...

At Somerset Academy Central Miramar, Vice Principal Geyler Herrera has taken unconventional steps to make sure at risk youths stay in school and graduate. She won't stand for average - and pushes her students for excellence - learn how she uses contracts to motivate her students to high academic achievement, and how she and her students inspire each other. Florida Charter School Alliance Director...

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 sta...

In celebration of National Charter Schools Week, we spoke with charter high school grad, charter school teacher and administrator, Ms. Danai Amaya. She talks about her experience as a charter school student and how that shaped who she is as a person and a teacher, and why she loves teaching at a charter school.   Providing Choice is a Florida Charter School Alliance podcast. Episodes highlight cha...

On This Episode of Providing Choice:  A conversation with Lilian Salazar about Exceptional Student Education and the role charter schools play in helping students with special needs achieve. Ms. Salazar was a district director for Special Ed and is now the national director of special education and student support for a charter school support and education service provider that works with schools...