Charter School Connection

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Growing charter schools TOGETHER.

5. maj

#84 Coastal Dreams Academy | Akeem Hemingway, Dr. Karen Vassell, Braylyn Bridges

In this inspiring episode of the Charter School Connection, we sit down with the team behind Coastal Dream Academy to explore the powerful mission, history, and vision driving their work in the Racepath community. Akeem Hemingway shares his journey from growing up in Myrtle Beach’s Racepath neighborhood to spending over a decade working in the NBA—and ultimately returning home to pour back into the very community that raised him. Alongside him, Dr. Karen Vassell brings a wealth of global and local educational experience, united by a shared belief in holistic, student-centered learning that supports both students and their families. Together with Braylyn Bridges, the team shares the rich history of the Racepath community—highlighting its legacy of resilience, service, and leadership, from grassroots initiatives like the Mission of Love House to the evolution of the Racepath Community Learning Center. At the heart of this conversation is a powerful idea: teaching students how to “pivot.” While the community has produced incredible athletic talent—including Ramon Sessions—the academy is focused on expanding students’ vision beyond playing careers. From coaching and media to entrepreneurship and content creation, Coastal Dream Academy is preparing students for long-term success both on and off the field. This episode also dives into: How project-based learning connects academics with real-world application The importance of individualized education and smaller learning environments Creating pathways into careers like marketing, broadcasting, and digital media Preparing students for future careers that don’t yet exist Built on collaboration and community, Coastal Dream Academy represents more than a school—it’s a movement to redefine opportunity and empower the next generation. Show Notes: Racepath Community Learning Center https://phoenixrenaissanceinc.org/ Facebook - Racepath Community Learning Center https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563856915984 Instagram - @racepathmb On Youtube - Racepath Community Learning Center https://www.youtube.com/@RacepathMB Phone Number: 843-626-1579 Address - 1690 Racepath Street, Myrtle Beach SC 29577

31 min.
21. apr.

#83 Penn Hills Charter School for Entrepreneurship | Valerie Nance

In this episode of the Charter School Connection Podcast, Jenna sits down with Valerie Nance, Chief People Officer at Penn Hills Charter School of Entrepreneurship in Pittsburgh, PA, to discuss her unique journey into human resources and how she found her place in the education world. Valerie shares how an unexpected career shift led her into charter schools, where she has spent the past eight years growing within her organization—from an HR coordinator role to a leadership position. She highlights the importance of people-first leadership, emphasizing how investing in staff, fostering strong culture, and building meaningful relationships can transform an entire school community. The conversation dives into what makes Penn Hills truly stand out, including its entrepreneurship-focused model and innovative micro-society approach, where students take on real-world roles like running businesses, managing finances, and even participating in judicial processes. Valerie explains how these experiences help students develop confidence, communication skills, and lifelong lessons at an early age. Jenna and Valerie also explore: How strong school culture and community involvement drive student and staff success Creative and intentional hiring practices that prioritize cultural fit and student connection The importance of networking and collaboration within the charter school space Challenges that come with growth—and how to maintain engagement during times of change The school’s exciting vision to expand into a high school in the near future Valerie shares thoughtful insights on leadership, continuous learning, and the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people—both within your organization and through external networks. The episode wraps up with impactful advice for school leaders: invest in your people. Valerie emphasizes that supporting and developing your team is one of the most powerful ways to create lasting success for both staff and students. Show Notes: Penn Hills Charter School for Entrepreneurship https://phcharter.org/ “Pushout: The Criminalization of Black Girls in Schools” by Monique Couvson https://a.co/d/016Ql46A “We Are Crew: A Teamwork Approach to School Culture” by Ron Berger https://a.co/d/0j2pp0AJ

33 min.
7. apr.

#82 John Muir Charter Schools | RJ Guess

In this episode of “The Charter School Connection”, we sit down with the CEO of John Muir Charter Schools to explore the organization’s mission, evolution, and the realities of leading a nontraditional charter school network. Founded in 1998, John Muir Charter Schools serves young adults ages 16–24 through a unique model that blends high school education with workforce training programs like the California Conservation Corps. With 36 sites across California, the organization is built on a philosophy of meeting students where they are—prioritizing flexibility, trust in educators, and student-centered learning over rigid systems. The conversation dives into the biggest challenges facing charter school leaders today, including declining enrollment, funding pressures, and the lasting academic impact of COVID-19. The CEO shares how many students are still working to recover lost credits, requiring schools to go beyond academics and address critical needs like housing, food security, and mental health. He also offers a compelling perspective on leadership—emphasizing autonomy over micromanagement—and explains why schools must be run with business-minded discipline to ensure long-term sustainability and community impact. With nearly three decades at John Muir Charter Schools, the CEO reflects on his unexpected journey into education and the deep sense of purpose that has kept him committed to serving students and building strong, mission-driven teams. Show Notes: John Muir Charter Schools https://johnmuircs.com/

46 min.
24. mar.

#81 Blueprint | John Sun

In this episode of Charter School Connection podcast as host Jenna Dubois sits down with John Sun, CEO of Blueprint, a nonprofit developer dedicated to creating affordable, lasting facility solutions for charter schools. John Sun details Blueprint's history, their expansion from Los Angeles to new regions like Texas and Colorado, and their mission-driven work supporting both single-site operators and larger CMOs. Highlights from the Episode: - Facilities as a Strategic Enrollment Asset: Learn why charter school leaders should view their facilities as a strategic asset—a reflection of the school's culture, a safe environment for learning, and a shining beacon in the community—rather than just a necessary expense. Blueprint’s goal is to direct resources toward the classroom, "not into construction".1 - Overcoming "Paralysis": John shares advice for leaders grappling with site selection, stressing the importance of prioritizing proximity to students and families. He counsels leaders to overcome "paralysis" by being realistic about financial constraints and operational requirements, focusing on building momentum rather than getting laser-focused on an immediate "dream facility". - The Power of Customization and Budget Management: Discover how customization—from college-like environments with flexible breakout spaces (like USC Hybrid High in LA) to minor details like natural light and paint colors (as seen in the renovation for Elevate school in Houston)—is critical for reflecting a school's program and retaining students. Blueprint drives down costs using a unique investment model that was one of the first impact investment vehicles in the sector, creatively blending philanthropy and private capital to amplify its financial impact. - Advice for Expanding Leaders: John encourages leaders to lean on the expertise and wisdom already built across the sector to offload the burden of facility acquisition, freeing up time to focus on professional development and engaging with families. - Connect with Blueprint - Interested listeners in California, Washington, Texas, or Colorado can view Blueprint’s portfolio and mission at blueprintfutures.org. For schools outside of their current regions, Blueprint is happy to offer advice and referrals to trusted partners like other nonprofit developers or lenders. - Final thoughts: John shares the impact “Waiting for Superman” has had on him and wants to stress the importance of taking time to look back at how far we have come. Show Notes: Blueprint https://blueprintfutures.org/ “Waiting for Superman” https://www.amazon.com/Waiting-Superman-Geoffrey-Canada/dp/B003Q6D28C

30 min.
17. feb.

#80 Lanier Learning | Dee Lanier

In this episode of The Charter School Connection, Jenna sits down with educator, coach, and author Dee Lanier, founder of Lanier Learning, to explore his unexpected journey through education — from ministry to volunteering in a charter school to leading professional development across the country. The depth and variety of discussion in this episode can only be grasped by listening. Make sure to not miss this episode. Dee shares how wearing “all the hats” in charter schools led him to discover a passion for adult learning, culturally responsive teaching, and human-centered design. He unpacks the creation of Solve in Time, a gamified design-thinking tool that helps schools and organizations solve real-world problems creatively, and reflects on the power of connection in the classroom. The conversation also dives into his books, including Demarginalizing Design and The Promises and Perils of AI in Education (co-authored with Ken Shelton), where Dee challenges the narrow conversations around AI and invites educators to think bigger than just cheating or efficiency. From systems change and student dignity to specialty coffee and meaningful human connection, this episode is packed with insight, inspiration, and practical ideas for educators and leaders alike. Time Stamps: 00:23 How did Dee get involved in Education? 2:30 Favourite “Hat” while at his first school? 3:50 How did you move from school to your next step? 7:50 How did you go from Google Certified Coaching to Lanier Learning? 10:00 What books did Dee write? 15:56 Solve In Time 20:54 Example of a prompt? 22:45 Who is “Solve In Time” for? 26:20 Does Dee still keep in touch with students? 30:49 How to contact Dee? 32:07 Where are your development workshops? 33:30 Final thoughts? 34:30 Coffee Chatter 35:50 Book Recommendations Show Notes: Lanier Learning https://www.lanierlearning.com/home Solve In Time https://www.lanierlearning.com/solveintime Liberated Educator https://wavve.link/LiberatedPod/episodes Companion Guide to The Promises and Perils of AI in Education https://www.google.com/books/edition/_/mq_y0AEACAAJ?hl=en&kptab=getbook The Promises and Perils of AI in Education https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Promises_and_Perils_of_AI_in_Educati/ClTg0AEACAAJ?hl=en&kptab=getbook The Water Dancer by https://a.co/d/0gKoCQcT by Ta-Nehisi Coates Pedagogy of the Oppressed by Paulo Freire https://a.co/d/09Q840f1

38 min.
20. jan.

#79 Mālama Honua Public Charter School | Denise Espania

In this episode of “The Charter School Connection” Shawn interviews Denise Espania, Director at Mālama Honua Public Charter School. This is a K-8 Charter School in Waimānalo, HI. This conversation went on a different path than Shawn originally thought. They discuss western education and creating an education that focuses on taking care of the Earth. From the very beginning of her teaching career, Denise began to learn the importance of building relationships with students and their families. This leads into the next phase of wanting to do the best for them. That led Denise to go back to school and learn more about education and how to make school enjoyable and relevant to the kids. The more she learned, the more she realised that our western education practices are replicating colonisation practices and how hurtful that can be. She went back to school again to find the answer. She met Nainoa Thompson and Robert Witt, both pioneers in the Native Hawaiian Education movement that wanted to build a school. She worked with them to relook at schooling and the importance of Native Hawaiian Education. How do we look at schools that value culture and language instead of traditional western education? Mālama Honua Public Charter School opened in 2014 using the values of the Mind of the Navigator and the World Wide Voyage. They looked at how to take these values to build an education system and community that focuses on language and culture to bring everyone together. Looking at the limited resources available to take care of the Earth. The school is about knowing where you come from and where you are headed. There is so much to learn from this episode, be sure to check it out! Time Stamps: 2:20 Who is Denise and how did she get involved in charter schools? 13:40 How have you noticed colonisation in schools and how to counteract it? 21:10 Geographic location and physical location of the school? 24:57 Final Thoughts Show Notes: Mālama Honua Public Charter School https://www.malamahonuapcs.org/

28 min.
13. jan.

#78 EdOpt | Dr. Jody Underwood

In this episode of “The Charter School Connection” Dallan interviews Dr. Jody Underwood, the founding president of a non-profit in New Hampshire called “EdOpt.” EdOpt began informally in April 2024. EdOpt stands for Education Options. They help families understand various educational alternatives, including homeschooling, learning centers, charter and private schools, and innovative in-school approaches. Dr Underwood has a PhD in learning sciences/education. In the 80s she got her undergraduate degree in Computer Science and a masters focused on tutoring and AI. 18 years ago she moved to New Hampshire and got involved on a school board. During her time on the board she learned that importance to support families in understanding their diverse educational choices. In this episode, you will learn how EdOpt came to be; some challenges and successes that Dr. Underwood has faced with EdOpt. She also recommends some books and podcasts that everyone can learn from. Show Notes: EdOpt https://edopt.org/ LiberatED Podcast with Kerry McDonald https://www.liberatedpodcast.com/ “How Children Fail ”by John Holt https://a.co/d/5DIvbzw “How Children Learn” by John Holt https://a.co/d/cr5Bjzl

22 min.
6. jan.

#77 Radical Dreamers: Race, Choice and the Failure of the American Education System|Joseph Viteritti

Podcast Description: In this episode of “The Charter School Connection” Jenna interviews Joseph P. Viteritti, author of Radical Dreamers: Race, Choice and the Failure of the American Education System. He is currently a professor of public policy at Hunter College in New York. He has been an advocate of School Choice for over 30 years. He first began his interest in the education sector in the 1970s but by the 1990s he focused mostly on school choice. Joseph has written 12 books, this being the most recent. He has been working on Radical Dreamers for over the last few years but it was released in September 2025. He wanted to use the book to tell the history of American Education starting with Brown but ended up looking at it through the contributions of Howard Fuller, James Coleman and Derek Bell. Joseph discusses his book and how it connects with charter schools, school choice and public policy. He shares how he believes equal funding is a key to success for charter schools. Check out the podcast to learn more about Joseph Viterritti and his book Radical Dreamers: Race, Choice and the Failure of the American Education System. Show Notes: “Radical Dreamers: Race, Choice and the Failure of the American Education System” https://a.co/d/1zCkDtW https://www.educationnext.org/are-charter-schools-an-endangered-species-excerpt-radical-dreamers/ https://www.the74million.org/article/derrick-bell-critical-race-theory-and-the-beginnings-of-school-choice/ https://www.vitalcitynyc.org/articles/mamdanis-charter-school-dilemma

35 min.

Growing charter schools TOGETHER.

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Charter Connect
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2022 - 2026
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84
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