Contributor Columns

Daiana Lambrecht, founding Executive Director of Futuro San Antonio, emphasizes the need for equitable access to mental health funding for charter school students facing educational challenges. Futuro aims to empower families in advocating for resources, highlighting organized efforts for inclusion and the importance of community engagement in tackling systemic issues within San Antonio’s education system.

Linda Moore, founder of the Elsie Whitlow Stokes Public Charter School in Washington, DC, shares the school’s legacy of dual-language immersion education and social justice. With new leadership under Bobby Caballero, the school strives to prepare students for future success through partnerships and community engagement, reflecting its commitment to quality education for all.

Scott Bess, an education entrepreneur, has founded the Indiana Charter Innovation Center to enhance Indiana’s charter school sector. With a strong background in education leadership, he aims to grow the number of charter schools by 25% and increase student enrollment by 40% over the next five to seven years, addressing funding inequities and promoting innovation.

Brandon Brown, CEO of The Mind Trust, discusses Indianapolis’ educational transformation led by innovative charter schools since 2001. The collaboration among civic leaders has fostered a system supporting diverse school options, resulting in significant student progress, particularly among students of color and low-income families. The success reflects Indianapolis’ model for educational reform.

Dr. Aidé Acosta, Chief College Officer at Noble Schools, emphasizes the institution’s commitment to college access and success for Black and Brown students. Over its 25 years, Noble has graduated over 28,000 students, with a focus on dismantling systemic inequity and ensuring every student receives guidance to reach their academic aspirations.

Amanda Aragon, Executive Director at NewMexicoKidsCAN, shares insights on New Mexico’s educational challenges, notably its ranking as last in the nation for eight consecutive years. Despite setbacks, she highlights the resilience of charter schools, which offer hope and quality options for students, emphasizing their role in addressing inequities in education.

Jana Wilcox Lavin, CEO of Opportunity 180, emphasizes the importance of accountability in public education. By using a GPS analogy, she outlines how charter schools exemplify effective accountability measures in overcoming challenges. Recent developments in Nevada offer hope for improved student achievement through enhanced policies and infrastructure, though challenges remain in ensuring effective results.

Jay Artis-Wright, CEO of the Freedom Coalition for Charter Schools, reflects on her emotional experience at the Democratic National Convention. While she celebrates progress, she expresses frustration with the Democratic platform’s stance on education and charter schools, advocating for recognition of their importance in supporting Black and Latino students.

Good morning CharterFolk, Today we are delighted to share with you a Contributor Column from Colleston Morgan, the Executive Director of the City Forward Collective in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. We provide a bio for Colleston below. Born and raised in Milwaukee’s Sherman Park neighborhood, Colleston Morgan Jr was appointed Executive Director of City Forward Collective in

Sobeida Cruz, Co-Founder of the Charter School of Educational Excellence (CSEE) in Yonkers, highlights the crucial role of not-for-profit foundations in supporting charter schools. CSEE’s foundation enables enrichment programs and partnerships, enhancing opportunities for underserved students. This support has led to notable student achievements, proving that equitable educational resources are essential for success.