Tennessee - CharterFolk

CharterFolk Contributor Subira Gordon – 1,000 Miles From Where I Started – 3 Keys to Effective Advocacy That Aren’t Political

March 7, 2024

Subira Gordon, CEO of the Nashville Charter Collaborative, reflects on her journey from Jamaica to advocating for charter schools. She emphasizes the importance of focusing on excellence, supporting school leaders, increasing visibility of charter schools, and mastering regulatory processes. Gordon stresses that political challenges shouldn’t hinder progress in education advocacy.

CharterFolk Contributor William Hill – When A Good Authorizer Goes Bad

February 10, 2024

William Hill, Executive Director of Rocketship Tennessee, shares insights on educational equity and leadership in Nashville. He recounts former Mayor Karl Dean’s efforts to integrate high-quality charter schools into Metro Nashville Public Schools, highlighting challenges faced by charter operators amid political tensions. Despite setbacks, Rocketship Nashville successfully appealed to continue operating, emphasizing the need for fair educational opportunities.

CharterFolk Contributor Lydia Hoffman – What Would it Take for More Charter Schools to Improve the Educational Experiences of Diverse Learners?

September 28, 2023

Lydia Hoffman, a partner at the Charter School Growth Fund, discusses the need for charter schools to enhance educational experiences for diverse learners, particularly students with disabilities. She emphasizes collaboration, inclusive practices, and family engagement while identifying barriers like funding disparities and the siloing of special education that hinder progress. Through successful examples, she advocates for listening to student and family voices to improve outcomes.

WonkyFolk Vol 1 – Introducing WonkyFolk

April 5, 2023

CharterFolk announces a partnership with education reform leader Andy Rotherham to launch a podcast series called “WonkyFolk.” The series will feature bi-monthly conversations addressing significant challenges in public education. Discussions will combine informative policy analysis with engaging dialogue, inviting guest experts and aiming to enhance educational opportunities in the U.S.

CharterFolk Contributor Laurie Brown: Anti-charter Rhetoric is Rooted in Racism — Let’s Not Be Afraid to Call it Out

December 15, 2022

Laurie Brown, a Nashville advocacy leader, argues that criticism of charter schools stems from racism, highlighting their success in aiding underserved students. Despite challenges, charter schools offer educational opportunities that historically marginalized students lack. Brown calls for support of all schooling choices, emphasizing the need to confront and dismantle systemic inequities.

Newspapers Lament But Offer No Suggestions for Better Education Leadership; Lewis Center Shows Us All How to Celebrate the 30th; Don’t Assume Simple Smiles in Red States

April 30, 2021

CharterFolk voting ends tonight, prompting appreciation for Naomi Shelton’s insights on diverse leadership. Articles highlight instability in educational leadership, calling for structural changes. The Lewis Center celebrates its 30th anniversary, showcasing success. Challenges persist in red states, despite wins, calling for a conversion law to empower educators, improving opportunities for all.