Washington, D.C. – June 13, 2017 – The charter school movement in Florida is full people who perform heroic deeds daily. There are thousands of educational crusaders who provide great opportunities for children, and fight to ensure that all children have access to quality education programs. “Although there is no way to recognize every education hero in the sunshine state, every year we ask Florida Charter School Alliance (FCSA) member schools and stakeholders to nominate a few people who they feel should be honored for the work they do,” explains Lynn Norman-Teck, executive director, FCSA. “The Charter School Hero Awards is a great way to celebrate the people and programs that are doing great things for kids.”
During a reception held at the National Charter Schools Conference in Washington, D.C. on June 13, the FCSA honored several people who have helped raise student achievement, improved access to school choice across the state, or supported the work charter schools do.
The 2017 FCSA Charter School Hero Award recipients are:
- District support staff person of the Year: Jenna Hodgens, Hillsborough Public Schools
- Support Team of the Year: JC Quintana and Alex Garcia, S.M.A.R.T. Management / Bridgeprep Academy Schools
- Principals of the Year: Carlos Alvarez, City of Hialeah Educational Academy; Carlos Farrell, Doral Academy Charter Middle High School; and Alex Prieto, Somerset Miramar
- Legislator of the Year: Representative Michael Bileca, chair, House Education Committee
Charter school leaders and stakeholders across the state also nominated Adam Miller, Director, Florida Department of Education’s Office of Independent Education and Parental Choice, for his continuous support of their schools and dedication to students and families in Florida. Adam Emerson, Charter School Director at the Florida Department of Education, accepted the award on behalf of Mr. Miller.For more than 20 years, charter schools have been a vital part of Florida’s system of K-12 public education helping raise student achievement and providing families with quality choice education programs. The Florida Charter School Alliance (FCSA) works on behalf of the more than 650 public charter schools in the state and the families they serve. Formed in 2010 by a group of educators, community leaders, and philanthropists, the FCSA is a statewide, non-profit member-driven organization whose mission is to improve student achievement, promote parental choice, and to collaborate with and advocate for high-quality public charter schools.
“It was a great honor to receive the Heroes award from the Florida Charter School Alliance. My focus is to ensure that all students in Hillsborough County have choice and receive a quality education. I am very proud to support my Superintendent and Board’s commitment to excellence for all students.” – Jenna Hodgens
For more than 20 years, charter schools have been a vital part of Florida’s system of K-12 public education helping raise student achievement and providing families with quality choice education programs. The Florida Charter School Alliance (FCSA) works on behalf of the more than 650 public charter schools in the state and the families they serve. Formed in 2010 by a group of educators, community leaders, and philanthropists, the FCSA is a statewide, non-profit member-driven organization whose mission is to improve student achievement, promote parental choice, and to collaborate with and advocate for high-quality public charter schools.