LeveragED Foundation

It’s our last day at #NCSC24, so here are some highlights from an unforgettable week of connecting with passionate leaders who are shaping the future of education in charter schools! ⭐️ After running into so many familiar faces, we had to get our LeveragED community together! One of our favorite things about working with these leaders is that their passion for improving education never runs out. It was great hearing all about what our community is up to. ⭐ Speaking of community, we had the opportunity to catch some insightful sessions by LeveragED Collective Members, Sonia C. Park and TS Hoard about centering advocacy and leveraging outcomes-based management. ⭐️ Meeting people who are driving the vision of National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, like Ronald Rice, Senior Director, and Starlee Coleman, who was just named the new CEO and President of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools 🎉 ⭐️ As a team that knows diversity drives innovation, it was especially refreshing to see charter school leaders rally around inclusivity. Shoutout to #NCSC24 for hosting homerooms and sessions for women in leadership, HBCU Alumni, ESL educators, leaders of color, LGBT+ charter school advocates, and more. ⭐️ Lastly, but most of all, we are thankful for all the people we got to learn from and speak with this week for sharing your stories, expertise, and innovation with us. We’re headed home, but the impact of this week will carry on as we continue to work with education leaders with a vision of thriving educational communities. Let’s keep in touch! #NCSC24 #CharterSchools #Boston #Advocacy Katie Maron Vanessa Renee TS Hoard Sonia C. Park Jeff Carlson Jana Reed Recy Benjamin Dunn Reyes Acosta de Claudio Jolleen Wagner Natasia Cooper Andre T. Moore Dr. Shanesia Davis Emma McWeeney National Alliance for Public Charter Schools LeveragED Foundation Dr. Meghan Mackay Dr. Richard Seigler-Carter Katie Smith James Deenihan Katherine Genao Maria Guzman, MPA Laurel Wong

Here’s how you can shape the future of education right now ⬇ We love to brag about our community, so we are thrilled at the possibility of getting to see them share their innovative work on the SXSW EDU 2025 stage! Each year, we get to see education’s impactful changemakers at #SXSW EDU, but did you know that we get to vote on the presentations we’d love to see most? Partnership Power: Teachers Uplifting Families from Poverty by Marcela Andrés showcases the story of an educator who helped hundreds of children and families cycle out of poverty. https://lnkd.in/g76pCvjG Nurturing the Nurturer: A Blueprint for Black Male Educators by Dr. Hassan Brown takes the audience on a wellness journey to recharge and equip them with the tools to balance their well-being with a demanding career. https://lnkd.in/emYP23hE Harmonizing Minds: Reimagining and Expanding Music in School by Patrick Cerria explores music as an underused resource for helping students understand their emotions and peers, and connect with other subjects. https://lnkd.in/eszK4vqK Bridging Borders: Global Potential via English Exchanges by Jacqueline Gardy delves into innovative partnerships enabling global virtual exchanges for English learners and teachers, breaking geographical barriers and fostering mutual understanding. https://lnkd.in/eHdyE6DR Creativity Crisis: Where did the Spark go? by Kaylah H. and Stephanie Howell unlocks strategies for transforming passive classrooms into vibrant, active learning spaces. https://lnkd.in/epa373Br Empathy & Alter Egos: Creating Comics for Understanding by Dan Ryder explores the question, "How might we use the comic book tropes of masked heroes and secret identities to demonstrate our understanding of others’ struggles and perspectives?" https://lnkd.in/eySZjYnQ AI as a Pedagogical Partner: Differentiation & Lower Burnout by Kim Zajac and Jane Singleton highlights how AI can be a useful tool for educators to lighten their workload while building skills needed for transitioning employment. https://lnkd.in/emBXpTMe To cast your vote, create your account and vote using the UP arrow on the presentations you’d love to see. Voting closes this Sunday, August 18 at 11:59 pm PT. A huge shoutout to everyone for the inspiring work they are doing in their communities! #SXSWEDU #Diversity #EducationLeaders LeveragED Foundation Dr. Meghan Mackay Vanessa Bangser Dr. Richard Seigler-Carter Katherine Genao James Deenihan Maria Guzman-Colon, MPA Katie Smith

🎶🎉 I’m thrilled to present my #SXSWEDU 2025 proposal, "Harmonizing Minds: Reimagining & Expanding Music in School"! Imagine music being used in schools to support student learning, growth & development as well as classroom teachers and school therapists alike! 🎼 ✨. Click the link below & cast your vote! 📚🎵 LeveragED Foundation

After trading in the #Bronx for a picturesque few days in #LakePlacid a couple of weeks ago, I’ve been thinking a lot about how stepping out of my typical environment has led to challenging my own take on equity. As a proud New Yorker who has spent most of my professional life working with our city’s children, leading with equity in mind has always been essential but I have always only thought about it in my urban setting. Having done her entire K-12 school experience in Harlem and the Bronx, my youngest will now be heading to a rural community college and we’ve spent the summer exploring and getting used to a totally new environment. At LeveragED Foundation, we aim to champion equity in all its forms. With nearly 10 million students attending school in rural districts, we can’t speak about ALL children and equity if we aren’t also speaking about them. As I briefly mentioned last week, I had the opportunity to attend the 2024 Summer Conference of #Rural Schools Association of New York State. After spending an amazing couple of days learning from and alongside leaders who are championing education in rural communities at #RSANY, equity has taken on a whole new meaning. I think two of the biggest things I learned were: 1. Community is not just a buzzword, it’s a way of life here. 2. Rural districts redefine creative problem solving. When you are working with limited resources - you learn to get creative… and fast. Special thanks to Allen Pratt and the National Rural Education Association who are always so welcoming, and my friend and one of LeveragED Foundation’s Collective Members, Jeff Carlson who always pushes me (whether it’s my thinking… or my lazy self up a mountain). One of the biggest perks about a rural conference? The opportunity to skip the bars and coffee shops for mountaintop meetings to connect with leaders who are championing education in rural New York at #RSANY!* #RuralEducation See everyone in #Savannah :) Dr. Meghan Mackay Dr. Richard Seigler-Carter Katherine Genao Katie Smith James Deenihan Maria Guzman-Colon, MPA Laurel Wong Amaechila Iwuagwu Melissa Harris Allen Pratt Allison Nys William White, Ed.D. Elise Swanson Jennifer Ash Kellie Solowski

With the Olympics Paris 2024 kicking off tomorrow, it reminded me that I still haven’t gotten a chance to post about the Rural Schools Association of New York's conference last week, where I had the pleasure of joining rural education leaders from across the state for dinner at the very ice skating rink where the U.S. men's Olympic ice hockey team made history with their, “Miracle on Ice,” in 1980!! Huge thanks to team captain Mike Eruzione for taking the time to speak to all of us. Over the course of the conference, we had the privilege of meeting and learning from some esteemed education leaders in rural education who are, in the words of Mark Mambretti, creating magical moments in education. Additional bonus being that the Allen Pratt, Dr. Marlon Murray, Allison Nys and the National Rural Education Association’s board also joined to support us New Yorkers! As I look forward to the next few weeks of Olympics excitement, I can’t help but think about the, “Miracle on Ice,” and the perseverance of leaders in education who are championing collaboration and innovation to create meaningful change in educational communities. Thanks to David A. Little, Esq., Heather Zellers and the Rural Schools Association for such a valuable experience and so great to see old and new friends. More to come next week because you KNOW I have selfies I have to dig up and post! #RuralEducation #MiracleonIce #Olympics2024 #Superintendents Jeff Carlson LeveragED Foundation Dr. Meghan Mackay Katherine Genao Dr. Richard Seigler-Carter James Deenihan Katie Smith Maria Guzman-Colon, MPA Laurel Wong

The Utah State Charter School Board (SCSB), in collaboration with the LeveragED Foundation, is excited to introduce the Utah SCSB LeveragED LaunchPad Program—a prestigious professional development opportunity tailored for Utah’s charter school leaders. If you are interested in applying, reach out to the SCSB.

You know you’re blessed when you not only get to have dinner with this amazing woman, but it turns into a celebration! Congratulations Nandi Edouard on being granted your charter for The Simple Vue Academy. Though us New Yorkers are jealous, Georgia is lucky to have you!! So fortunate to have gotten to see you and celebrate you in person. Can’t wait for what’s to come! #womenleaders #charterschools Katherine Genao LeveragED Foundation

We attended a phenomenal session by our Collective Member Sonia C. Park, Executive Director of Diverse Charter Schools Coalition, alongside Sarah Anderson and Khalil Graham, which left us asking, “What happens when advocacy is the blueprint of educational leadership?” and even ran into Ronald Rice of National Alliance for Public Charter Schools! There was so much thought-provoking dialogue today about innovation in education, so we are looking forward to Day 3—including a workshop with our Collective Member, TS Hoard, on ‘Transforming Schools With an 80/20 Focus: Leveraging Outcomes-Based Management to Drive Change’ #NCSC24 #CharterSchools #Boston #Advocacy Vanessa Renee Natasha Trivers Recy Benjamin Dunn K. Chase Patterson Jana Reed Rich Harrison Janelle Ruley Heather Vega Katherine Westerhold Mia Howard Kimberly Neal-Brannum Jerome Reyes Daniel Segal National Alliance for Public Charter Schools LeveragED Foundation Dr. Meghan Mackay Dr. Richard Seigler-Carter Vanessa Bangser Katherine Genao James Deenihan Maria Guzman, MPA Katie Smith Laurel Wong

We attended a phenomenal session by our Collective Member Sonia C. Park, Executive Director of Diverse Charter Schools Coalition, alongside Sarah Anderson and Khalil Graham, which left us asking, “What happens when advocacy is the blueprint of educational leadership?” and even ran into Ronald Rice of National Alliance for Public Charter Schools! There was so much thought-provoking dialogue today about innovation in education, so we are looking forward to Day 3—including a workshop with our Collective Member, TS Hoard, on ‘Transforming Schools With an 80/20 Focus: Leveraging Outcomes-Based Management to Drive Change’ #NCSC24 #CharterSchools #Boston #Advocacy Vanessa Renee Natasha Trivers Recy Benjamin Dunn K. Chase Patterson Jana Reed Rich Harrison Janelle Ruley Heather Vega Katherine Westerhold Mia Howard Kimberly Neal-Brannum Jerome Reyes Daniel Segal National Alliance for Public Charter Schools LeveragED Foundation Dr. Meghan Mackay Dr. Richard Seigler-Carter Vanessa Bangser Katherine Genao James Deenihan Maria Guzman, MPA Katie Smith Laurel Wong

Let's talk about the power of connection at #NCSC24! It's only day 1, but we can already feel the impact of leaders from all over the country sharing insights from their experiences. It was such a pleasure listening to all the speakers today and connecting with leaders who are shaping the future of education! Looking forward to Day 2! #NCSC24 #CharterSchools #Boston Rachel Babcock Derrell Bradford Amy McGrath Christy Wolfe Vivienne Ming Starlee Coleman Rick Cruz Katie Maron Naomi N. Shelton Hector Calderon Anna Hall Toni Walker Cathy Osten Brandon Brown Antonio Felipe Lucas Pimentel Kevin Shafer Dana Peterson Karega Rausch Dalia Flores Contreras National Alliance for Public Charter Schools LeveragED Foundation Dr.Dr. Richard Seigler-Carter Vanessa Bangser James Deenihan Katherine Genao Maria Guzman, MPA Dr. Meghan Mackay Katie Smith Laurel Wong Lauren Bryant Vanessa Renee Dr. Ken Kemp