CharterFolk

"You don't walk on this earth alone. You have a commitment to those around us." Jacqueline Elliot, Ed.D's powerful philosophy has guided her 25+ year journey in education reform. From founding LA County's first charter middle school in 1999 to building PUC Schools - Partnerships to Uplift Communities Schools (14 schools, 4,200+ students, 90%+ graduation rate), Jackie has never worked in isolation. Her insight: "It's not just about your own school. It's about the greater educational community." Now transitioning from CEO of PUC National to advisory role, she's modeling what she teaches: "What they experience in school sticks with them, so model for them what it is you want them to be." For education leaders: How are you building interconnected ecosystems rather than working in silos? Jackie's legacy shows that sustainable impact comes from lifting the entire community, not just individual institutions. Read her inspiring story: https://lnkd.in/gkt7E6mT

"Swipes to Seats: Parent Power in the Digital Arena" Aida Rodriguez, CEO of Goodbeat Education, reveals how charter schools can thrive in the social media age. Her insight: "Platforms reward people, not organizations. A school's official post might reach hundreds. A parent posting about her child's success can reach thousands." The proof? Laura, a San Antonio charter mom, went from not knowing her school's data to becoming a micro-influencer defending her school online. Her authentic posts reached 12,000 views and 350 shares overnight. Aida's framework: Turn swipes into likes, likes into shares, and shares into the loyalty schools need to survive political storms. For education leaders: How are you empowering your parent voices to tell your school's story authentically? The future of charter schools isn't decided in boardrooms—it's decided in living rooms, on smartphones, one swipe at a time. Read the full strategy: https://lnkd.in/duNYP-tC

Meet Dr. Elaine Swafford Ed.D., CEO of Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy and 2025 Charter Schools Hall of Fame inductee. What started as a 3-year commitment in 2012 became a 14-year transformation journey. Under her leadership, CGLA grew from an 18,000-square-foot building to a 166,000-square-foot campus spanning five blocks. The results speak volumes: Reward School status (Tennessee's highest designation), Cognia Accreditation, and students earning full scholarships to institutions like Columbia University. But for Dr. Swafford, it's never been about awards: "We want to meet kids where they are and take them as far as they can go." Her philosophy for education leaders facing challenges: "We don't step into this work because it's easy. We step in it because someone needs us. Even though it feels hard in the beginning — I don't know if it gets easier, but it gets better." For leaders building lasting change: What "fix-it" mindset has served you best in challenging times? Read her inspiring story: https://lnkd.in/g-ssvbMW

Ten years. $100 million invested. 45+ schools supported. Nearly 20,000 students served. Sarah Meskin from BluumOrg shares the remarkable story of how one organization transformed Idaho’s charter school landscape. “Quality matters. Access alone is not enough,” Sarah writes in her reflection on Bluum’s decade of growth. What started as an ambitious goal to create 20,000 new school seats became something more profound: a network of Idaho-grown leaders building Idaho-grown schools that consistently outperform national averages. The secret? When national charter networks said Idaho’s market was “too small,” Bluum pivoted to invest in local talent with vision and grit. That shift became one of their greatest strengths. Key insight: “Families deserve schools that are not just different but better.” For education leaders building sustainable change: How do you balance rapid growth with unwavering quality standards? Read Sarah’s full analysis: https://lnkd.in/gwYCrjqr

"Don't skim. Start at the top and follow it straight through to the end." 😮 That's Jed Wallace's advice for this CharterFolk Chat with Brandon Brown, CEO of The Mind Trust. Jed calls it "some of the most important insights we've had the privilege to share here at CharterFolk over the past five and a half years." What makes this conversation so essential? Brandon offers a "candid, unflinching look at what it takes to advance charter schools in a public arena that's often hostile, and why the work is so worth it." For education leaders navigating challenging advocacy environments: This is the conversation you need to hear. 🎬 Watch on YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gDY33yp9 🎧 Listen as a podcast: https://lnkd.in/gWxsm4s6 What's your experience advocating for educational innovation in hostile environments? #CharterSchools #Advocacy #Education #Courage

Sometimes the most impactful career decisions happen when your heart overrules your mind. Ahmed White, Ed.D. experienced this twice in his journey to founding Tennessee's first opportunity charter school. First, when he planned to attend law school but fell in love with education during a break working at an elementary school. "It was a very stressful season," he said about trying to balance both paths. Second, when approached to lead a struggling charter school: "Although my mind was like, 'No, we are not doing that,' my heart said, 'yes.'" That heart-led decision transformed Smithson Craighead Academy from near-closure to Tennessee Reward School status - the state's highest honor. Now, Dr. White has founded The Rock Academy, serving at-risk youth with built-in mentors and workforce preparation programs. His philosophy? "We want children to have the agency to make their own decisions." For leaders facing difficult decisions: When has following your heart over logic led to your greatest professional impact? Read Ahmed's inspiring story: https://lnkd.in/ggRtbc3J

🤶 A Mother's Legacy 💐 30 years after graduation, a former student traveled to his teacher's funeral. He wanted to share how she convinced him to run for student council president despite his behavioral issues and frequent trips to the principal's office. "She believed in me more than I believed in myself," he told her family. That teacher was Mike Huguelet's mother. Her "superpower was making people feel like they mattered." Today, Mike carries forward that legacy as Executive Director of Iowa Coalition for Public Charter Schools. His powerful reflection reminds us: The most impactful leadership often happens in quiet moments when we see potential others can't see in themselves. What's one moment when someone believed in your potential before you did? Read Mike's moving tribute: https://lnkd.in/gNDSEu4T

He was told, "If you want to be successful, you have to get out." That was the prevailing narrative in his hometown of Stockton, CA. But Phillip Hon proved that wrong. After 6+ years of rejection, he finally opened Unbound Stockton school this year. His journey from Stanford University to Teach For America to founding his own school shows us something powerful: Sometimes the biggest impact comes from staying and creating change where you are. What's one piece of advice you wish someone had given you about perseverance? Read Phillip's full story: https://lnkd.in/ga2eJT56 #perserverance #charterschools #education

🚨 The first federal education tax credit in U.S. history is on the horizon. How will it affect you? We've extracted a focused 10-minute summary from our latest podcast episode that every education professional needs to see. While final regulations are still being developed, this concentrated segment breaks down everything we know so far about this groundbreaking program that could transform education funding in America. Key details covered in this summary: ✅ Up to $1,700 per taxpayer in federal tax credits (when available) ✅ Universal eligibility - designed to work for students at ANY type of school ✅ Flexible use - intended to cover tuition, books, tutoring, special needs services, technology ✅ Income limits expected around 300% of median area income ✅ Mission-driven SGOs will be able to target specific communities This 10-minute deep dive features expert insights from Shaka Mitchell from American Federation for Children. Watch the focused summary: https://lnkd.in/g6bJ2i7f What questions do you have about this upcoming historic policy shift? Let Andrew Rotherham and Jed Wallace know! #EducationPolicy #FederalTaxCredit #SchoolChoice #EducationFunding #PolicyAnalysis #WonkyFolk #EdReform #CharterSchools

💪 "The louder we can show and share what's being done, the stronger the movement." Powerful words from Nanette Lehman - Merrill, new Executive Director of Idaho Charter School Association: https://lnkd.in/gwm6NdDA #CharterSchols #EdReform #Education #CharterSchool