Pre Conference Workshops
Wednesday, October 19, 2022, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
- School Leaders Fellowship
- Understanding the Science of Learning to Provide Academic Equity for Students with Disabilities and Multilingual Learners
The Science of Learning is cognitive-science research on how students learn. Academic equity is the pursuit of creating an educational system that caters to students of all kinds. This workshop will detail instructional strategies rooted in the science of learning to help Students with Disabilities and Multilingual Learners grow academically. presented by Lillian Salazar.
Click here for a complete list of pre-conference workshops and for more details.
Opening Session
Wednesday, October 19, 2022, 2:00 p.m.
- Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz, Jr., will take part in a panel discussion on the state of the charter school sector in Florida. The discussion will feature perspectives from a number of luminaries in the charter school and school choice movements in Florida, including Julio Robaina, the Chief Academic Officer of Academica, John Kirtley, chairman of Step Up For Students, and Madeline Pumariega, the president of Miami-Dade College. Former Education Commissioner Jim Horne will moderate the discussion.
BREAKOUT SESSIONS
Thursday, October 20, 2022 • 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Principals strive to build a culture that is safe, welcoming, and inspiring to the students and staff who walk through the school’s doors, especially after returning from the pandemic. This school culture can be achieved with a better understanding of your technical and adaptive challenges, and building community amongst students and staff.
Presented by:
Mr. Damian Rosado, School Principal, Edward W. Bok Academy South
Ms. Chenia Thate, Administrative Dean, Edward W. Bok Academy South
In this presentation, attendees will learn effective strategies to identify opportunities for family engagement, strengthen current outreach initiatives and build a culture that moves every parent and student toward empowerment and ambassadorship.
Presented by: Kassandra Alexander Elekes, Director of Family Engagement and Storytelling, Foundation for Florida’s Future
Thursday, October 20, 2022 • 1:45 p.m. – 2:45 p.m
This presentation will focus on Florida’s legislative requirements addressing safety and security requirements and how those directly impact charter schools.
Presented by Brooks Rumenik, Deputy Director, Safe Schools, Florida Department of Education
This presentation guides Charter School Program (CSP) grant sub-recipients through required actions that must be completed to maximize a CSP grant award. Subrecipients will also learn how to prepare and submit CSP budget amendments.
Presented by:
• Vicki Pineda, Charter Schools Director, Office of Independent Education & Parental Choice, Florida Department of Education
• Horace Taylor, CSP Budget Analyst, Florida Department of Education
Thursday, October 20, 2022 • 3:15 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.
Engaging in continuous improvement inspires forward-thinking transformational change and new opportunities. Attend this presentation to explore what continuous improvement means and how to strive for continuous improvement at your institution. Hear how AcadeMir Charter Schools, Inc practitioners, and Cognia partners embark on the continuous improvement journey.
Presented by;
• Rachael Havey, Senior Director, Professional Learning, Cognia
• Mrs. Susie Bello, Principal, AcadeMir Charter School West
• Mr. Antonio Cejas, Principal, AcadeMir Charter Schools, Inc.
In partnership with the Florida Department of Education, the Florida Charter School Alliance created the School Leaders Fellowship to help develop a robust pipeline of effective and visionary charter school leaders interested in leading a school in a high-need area. Supported by a CSP grant, the program uses real-world scenarios to expose participants to charter school operations, budgeting, data analysis, district and community relations, and more. Learn about the program from the Class of 2022 School Leaders Fellows and meet the Class of 2023.
Presented by;
•School Leaders Fellowship Class of 2022 / Cohort 1
• Lynn Norman-Tech, Executive Director, Florida Charter School Alliance
Thursday, October 20, 2022 • 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
The 2021 Legislature passed, and Governor Ron DeSantis signed into law, a measure allowing charter school authorizing by public colleges and universities in Florida. The Florida Department of Education will discuss the details of this new legislation and the steps it will take to help implement this development in Florida’s charter school sector.
Presented by:
• Mr. Adam Emerson, Executive Director, Office of Independent Education and Parental Support, Florida Department of Education
• Mr. Henry Mack, Senior Chancellor, Florida Department of Education
Charter schools are education innovators, and as such, your school has a very special place in your community. As you reflect on the building itself: Is it a building that truly reflects your mission? Is it a safe and sustaining space for your students, staff, and teachers? Can you grow your school and your legacy in your building at the same time?
Presented by:
• Jon Dahlberg, Senior VP of Business Development and Facilities, Charter School Capital
• Matthew Gardner, Client Services Representative, Charter School Capital
Friday, October 21, 2022 • 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Storytelling is an essential part of a charter school’s success. Sharing your stories is critical to your continued success and a great way to connect with your parents and potential families. Thanks to the many digital storytelling tools available, sharing your story has never been easier. It’s a great way for people to learn about your program, and its successes, and eliminate any misconceptions. Charter School Narrative presentation.
Presented by:
• Lynn Norman-Teck, Executive Director, Florida Charter School Alliance
Friday, October 21, 2022 • 9:45 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
FDOE representatives will provide an update on changes — legislative and otherwise — affecting Florida charter schools.
Business > Legislative Issues | General > K-12
Presented by:
• Mr. Adam Emerson, Executive Director, Office of Independent Education and Parental Support, Florida Department of Education
The idea of “putting your mask on first” is a simple, but often overlooked policy as leaders sacrifice their well-being in order to take care of their team. Using national and local research, participants will learn and identify stressors and simple solutions that they can put into place immediately.
Presented by:
• Christina Hamlin, Deputy State Director Area 5 (Duval, Clay & Leon Counties), Charter Schools USA
• Tracey Saxon, Director of School Support, Charter Schools USA
• Rachel Windler-Freitag, Deputy State Director Area 2 (Palm Beach, St. Lucie, Lee & Collier Counties), Charter Schools USA
Closing General Session – sponsored by FCSA
Friday, October 21, 2022 • 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Ralph Arza, Director of Governmental Affairs for the Florida Charter School Alliance is the closing session keynote speaker. Arza has successfully led state and district-level advocacy efforts on behalf of the charter school movement in Florida for over two decades.
For more information about the Florida Charter School Conference, click here.