Good day, CharterFolk.
Today we are pleased to share a Contributor Column from Natasha Trivers, CEO for Democracy Prep Public Schools
Natasha Trivers is the Chief Executive Officer for Democracy Prep Public Schools. She began her journey with Democracy Prep in 2011 as Assistant Principal of Democracy Prep Charter High School in Harlem, NY. She later became Principal, and continued to ascend in the organization from Superintendent in 2017 to CEO in 2019. As Chief Executive Officer, she works to ensure the excellence of all Democracy Prep schools across New York, Nevada, and Texas.
Natasha attended public schools her entire life, and she is deeply committed to race equity, civics education, and strong academic outcomes for students from historically disadvantaged communities. Under her leadership, students have completed college on a six-year timeline at a high rate, 90% of NYC students earned their Advanced Regents diploma, and Democracy Prep created its first Advisory Board, which makes recommendations to the national board annually, and whose members are 70% Democracy Prep alumni and 100% people of color.
Prior to joining Democracy Prep, Natasha taught English at Academy of the Pacific Rim Charter School in Boston, Massachusetts. Natasha is a graduate of Rutgers University with a BA in English. She also holds a Master of Education in English Education from Teachers College at Columbia University and a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from Simmons College. Natasha was born in Santa Cruz, California, and was raised in Brooklyn and Queens, NY. Natasha is married to Jonathan Howard and is the mother of three beautiful children.
A special thanks to Natasha for having submitted such a timely column. Let’s get to it.
Communicating with Your Community Before and After the Election
As we head into the 2024 election, one of the most crucial moments in our democracy, our responsibility as school leaders is to foster environments of openness, respect, and civic engagement. Elections bring out strong emotions, and that’s true for our staff, students, and families. At Democracy Prep Public Schools, we’ve always prioritized civic responsibility, but this election season, that focus feels more urgent than ever.
In a recent workshop I co-hosted on Seminar, a national community for charter school leaders, I had the chance to connect with colleagues across the country. We shared the same challenges—how to maintain non-partisan, inclusive communication in a time that’s often polarizing. Leaders from diverse communities emphasized the importance of creating space for everyone to feel heard, including those who can’t vote, such as younger students or non-citizen families. Their insights were invaluable, and I’m grateful to be part of a community where we can learn and grow together. Those conversations were so valuable that we wanted to share these insights with the broader community in order to help all of us foster dialogue and engagement.
Authentic Connection Through Communication
When it comes to communicating with your school community, the most powerful tool you have is your authenticity. As leaders, people look to us for reassurance, and that starts with being real. Acknowledge that this election will impact people differently. Some may feel hopeful; others anxious or uncertain. By validating those feelings without aligning with any particular side, you can foster an environment where dialogue thrives and respect remains at the core.
I’ve found that one of the most effective ways to start these conversations is to remind people of our shared values—empathy, respect, and the commitment to making informed decisions. At Democracy Prep, our mission to foster civic engagement doesn’t just apply to elections; it’s a year-round effort. By leaning into that purpose, we ensure that all voices feel heard and that students, especially, see themselves as future leaders, no matter their political views.
Promoting Inclusivity in Civic Engagement
During the Seminar workshop, one idea that resonated deeply with all of us was the importance of inclusivity. Our schools are made up of individuals with diverse backgrounds, and not everyone can participate in the election in the same way. Non-citizens, minors, or people with other barriers to voting are still part of the conversation. Civic engagement isn’t just about casting a ballot—it’s about understanding the democratic process, being informed, and finding ways to contribute to the community.
This broader definition of engagement allows all students and families to feel involved, even if they’re not eligible to vote. You can encourage classroom discussions on how local government works or why different perspectives matter. For families, share resources that help them navigate conversations about democracy at home. That way, no one feels left out of this critical moment.
The Election Communications Toolkit: Templates Designed for Charter Leaders
So that every leader doesn’t have to independently navigate these complexities and develop communications tools on their own, Mango Strategies partnered with Seminar to create a 2024 Election Communications Toolkit. This resource is designed to help charter leaders communicate effectively with your school community before and after the election. They’ve created over 20 communications templates, guidelines, and principles for a range of possible scenarios. They focus on fostering inclusive, non-partisan conversations while promoting civic engagement.
The toolkit has something for everyone—from pre-election guidance on how to talk about voting without endorsing candidates, to post-election support when you’re dealing with the wide range of emotions that will inevitably arise once the results are in. There are specific templates for communicating with families, students, and staff, making sure each message is tailored to your audience. Whether you’re sending an email to your board or facilitating a classroom discussion, these tools are designed to help you strike the right balance of transparency and empathy. You can access the Election Communications Toolkit with a Seminar Core membership. Learn more here.
Closing Thoughts
As we move through this election season, my hope is that we can all serve as pillars of strength for our communities. I’m continually inspired by the dedication of charter school leaders across the country who, even in the most challenging times, strive to create environments where students can flourish. Let’s continue fostering open dialogue, supporting one another, and reminding our communities of the importance of civic engagement, not just in elections, but in every aspect of our democratic society. Together, we can lead through this election season with grace, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to our students.