January 2025 — The School Leaders Fellowship is an exhilarating program designed to equip emerging leaders with the tools, knowledge, and strategies necessary to lead successful and thriving charter schools. This dynamic program brings together experienced charter school leaders and field experts who offer a unique blend of practical advice, powerful resources, and cutting-edge concepts that Fellows can immediately implement in their schools. Each session is laser-focused on a Florida Leadership Standard and delivered in highly engaging, interactive ways that inspire Fellows to transform theory into actionable plans—empowering them to make a lasting impact on their campuses.
In January 2025, the Cohort 4 Fellows delved into Standard 8: Meaningful Parent, Family, and Community Engagement, led by Dr. Kia Scott, Senior Director of School Choice Services at Orange County Public Schools, and covered Standard 7: Building Leadership Expertise presented by Noble Education Initiativesharing hands-on activities and best practices to help Fellows develop leadership expertise within their schools. The Fellows also heard presentations from two School Leaders Fellowship graduates. Julie Stevenson (Cohort 1), Assistant Principal at Everglades Preparatory Academy, and Valeria Blandino (Cohort 2), Principal at Navigator Academy of Leadership. They discussed effective interview strategies — providing Fellows with tips and a comprehensive overview of interview skills needed by today’s school leaders. In an anonymous post-session survey, Fellows indicated that the lessons were engaging and interactive, and provided an opportunity to see an issue, subject, or challenge in a new way or from a different perspective. “There’s always something we can learn from each other, and it’s wonderful to be given the opportunity to do so, especially with other experts and leadership professionals,” said one Fellow.
The previous session, held in December 2024, focused on two crucial leadership standards: School Operations, Management, and Safety and Vision and Mission. Dr. John P. Drag, Jr., Vice President of Operations at Charter School Associates, led the discussion on School Operations, offering invaluable insights into the logistics and safety measures that ensure schools run smoothly. Jennifer Hines and Cametra Edwards tackled the Vision and Mission standard, guiding Fellows in aligning their school’s core values with day-to-day operations. Throughout the session, Fellows were encouraged to contribute their thoughts in real-time, sparking dynamic discussions and fresh perspectives on the importance of crafting a clear, compelling vision and mission. Zanetta Robinson, a Cohort 4 Fellow, poignantly remarked, “Just like a car with misaligned wheels, a misaligned school vision/mission can and will pull things off course.” This powerful reflection highlighted the importance of a unified direction in guiding a school toward success.
“The School Leaders Fellowship program offers in-depth coverage of standards as well as engaging and practical presentations from field experts — school leaders, charter school founders, and even veteran district representatives who understand first-hand the complexity of school leadership,” explains Lynn Norman-Teck, FCSA Executive Director. The School Leaders Fellowship, developed by the Florida Charter Schools Alliance (FCSA) and funded by a generous grant from the Florida Department of Education, is a cornerstone of leadership development for Florida’s charter school community. The Fellowship provides ongoing resources, training, and mentorship to individuals committed to making a lasting difference in education. With the graduation of the Cohort 4 Fellows in spring 2025, the program will have proudly graduated 60 well-prepared and visionary future charter school leaders—many of whom have already stepped into impactful leadership roles across the state.
The Fellowship is a transformative experience. It’s not just about preparing leaders for today—it’s about shaping and supporting the visionaries who will drive the charter school movement forward tomorrow.