2026 - CharterFolk

CharterFolk X 5.30 — Zach McComsey  “The First Thing is You’ve Got to be Around.”

June 15, 2026

Today, we are honored to profile Dr. Zachary McComsey, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, The Legacy Institute in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The Colorado League of Charter Schools recently honored Zach McComsey with a Lifetime Achievement Award, not just for founding a single high-performing school or launching a successful non-profit, but for more than two decades spent expanding opportunities for families.

The Voices That Define Our Movement

June 14, 2026

This week at CharterFolk featured the announcement of the Brian’s Voice Awards winners, highlighting exemplary contributions to the charter school movement. Notable discussions on advocacy, communications, and future designs for education emerged, emphasizing the importance of community engagement and defining challenges. Contributions by various writers showcased a blend of insight, courage, and connection essential for moving forward.

Announcing the 2026 Brian’s Voice Award Winners

June 12, 2026

Greetings, Charterfolk! We are proud to announce the 2026 Brian’s Voice Award winners! Please join us in congratulating this year’s honorees— three extraordinary individuals whose stories moved us, challenged us, and reminded us of what’s possible when we speak with courage and purpose. Dr. Fatih Bogrek, Superintendent of LISA Academy Adkeem Jackson, the Senior Director of

CharterFolk Contributor Gary Larson — Persuade as a Movement. Not as an Industry

June 11, 2026

Good day, CharterFolk. Today, we are pleased to share a Contributor Column from Gary Larson, the CEO of Larson Communications. This is Part Two of a two-part series on how to communicate as a movement. Read Part One. We provide a bio for Gary below. Gary Larson is founder and CEO of Larson Communications, a

CharterFolk Contributor Gary Larson — Define Yourselves Before You’re Defined

June 9, 2026

Good day, CharterFolk. Today, we are pleased to share a Contributor Column from Gary Larson, the CEO of Larson Communications. This is Part One of a two-part series on how to communicate as a movement. We provide a bio for Gary below. Gary Larson is founder and CEO of Larson Communications, a mission-driven communications firm

CharterFolk X 5.29 Sean Stalling – Playing the Long Game

June 8, 2026

Today, we are proud to profile the extraordinary charter leader, Sean Stalling, Executive Director, DeLaSalle High School in Kansas City, MO. Sean Stalling says he is going to write a book about baseball. Not just about the game, which he loves, but also about the mechanics of baseball and how they mirror teaching. In the

The Architects of Paradise

June 7, 2026

CharterFolk celebrates its 6th anniversary, highlighting increased voter participation in the Brian’s Voice Awards and burgeoning contributor columns. The organization aims for 20,000 readers, emphasizing community and collaboration. The narrative focuses on revitalization efforts in Paradise post-disaster, urging unity and a shared vision for future education, striving for excellence and fairness.

CharterFolk Contributor Ronald Evans – What Happens When a Charter School Embraces Its Traditional Roots

June 4, 2026

Good day, CharterFolk. Today we are pleased to continue our “Contributor Jubilee” by sharing a Column by By Ronald Evans, a teacher at George Washington Carver High School in New Orleans. We provide a bio for Ronald below. Ronald Evans was born and raised in New Orleans and graduated from George Washington Carver High School

Too Many Submissions to Keep Up With – Our Contributor Jubilee Starts With a “Letter to the Jeditor” from Mark Medema.

June 3, 2026

Good day, CharterFolk. Well, this is a first for us. A couple years back, some of you may remember that we had so many submissions of Contributor Columns that I temporarily doubled up to send two per week. But we’ve never had as many columns come in as we have in recent weeks, and I

CharterFolk X Volume 5.28 Valissia Allen — From Public Defender to Charter School Founder

June 2, 2026

Today, we are honored to profile Valissia Allen, the extraordinary founder and current Chief of Strategy & Innovation at Leadership Preparatory Charter School in Memphis, Tennessee Valissia Allen is currently the Chief of Strategy & Innovation at Leadership Preparatory Charter School, the Memphis school she founded more than a decade ago. Before that, Valissia spent several formative years working as a public defender in Charlotte, watching the