FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NACSA Names 11 to Second Cohort of its Leaders Program Contact: Courtney Leigh Beisel, 312.376.2316,
[email protected] April 9, 2013 (Chicago)—The success of the charter school movement is dependent on strong leaders capable of developing sound policy, leading a portfolio of high-performing schools, and ensuring that every charter school provides an outstanding education to its students. To assist in further advancing the profession of those entrusted with approving, monitoring, and renewing charter schools, the National Association of Charter School Authorizers (NACSA) last year launched its Leaders Program. Today, the organization is pleased to announce the selection of the second cohort of this highlyselective and rigorous program. “Authorizers are critical to creating and sustaining a high-performing network of charter schools across the county,” said NACSA Vice President of Human Capital Jamey Roberts. “This program provides leaders and emerging leaders of authorizing agencies with the leadership, management and authorizing expertise necessary to fulfill the promise of charter schools.” The second cohort of the Leaders Program includes:
Darlene Chambers, Ohio Council of Community Schools José Cole-Gutierrez, Los Angeles Unified School District Claire Fiddian-Green, Indiana Charter School Board Ethan Hemming, Colorado Charter School Institute Natasha Howard, SUNY Charter Schools Institute Robert Kimball, Grand Valley State University Daree Lewis, New York City Department of Education Jennifer Lopez, Sacramento City Unified School District Nora Meah, Rhode Island Department of Education Kisha Verdusco, Detroit Public Schools Adrienne Woods, Milwaukee Public Schools
“On behalf of NACSA, I applaud this group of authorizers for challenging themselves to become leaders in the sector. I am confident that through the skills they will develop through this program they will be prepared to further strengthen their offices’ practices to advance the quality of education for students attending charter schools under their watch,” added Roberts. The program includes intensive in-person sessions, online resources, ongoing virtual dialogue, and coaching all designed to assist participants in advancing their careers as they are challenged to make a positive difference in their own offices and across the charter sector. It also addresses the skills essential
to becoming a premier authorizer, such as executive leadership and management, data-driven decision making, and performance-based accountability. The National Association of Charter School Authorizers (NACSA) is committed to advancing excellence and accountability in the charter school sector and to increasing the number of high-quality charter schools across the nation. To accomplish this mission, NACSA works to improve the policies and practices of authorizers—the organizations designated to approve, monitor, renew, and, if necessary, close charter schools. NACSA provides training, consulting, and policy guidance to authorizers. It also advocates for laws and policies that raise the bar for excellence among authorizers and the schools they charter. In late 2012, NACSA launched its One Million Lives campaign to give one million more children the opportunity to attend a great school. Visit www.qualitycharters.org ###
