Teachers from all over the nation gathered on Capitol Hill in May of 2023 to celebrate their impact in education and exchange ideas on how to strengthen the teaching profession. During National Charters Schools Week, the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools presented seven changemaker awards for teachers who’ve gone above and beyond to shape the lives of students. They participated in a panel moderated by the National Alliance’s senior advisor for school support, George Parker. Hear directly from teachers on how they stay motivated, their experience teaching in a charter school, and ways school leaders can attract more teachers to the profession.

For questions, comments, or episode ideas, email podcast@publiccharters.org.

Takeaways:
- Teacher voice is critical to providing students with a high-quality public education.
- Invest in your teachers to ensure they feel seen, heard, and valued.
- Increase teacher salaries.
- Ensure teachers have the tools and resources to serve students.
- Include teachers in conversations and in decision-making.

Panel Moderator:
George Parker, senior advisor, school support, National Alliance for Public Charter Schools

National Alliance 2023 Changemakers and Panelists:
Andrea Thomas, Dream Diné Charter School in Shiprock, NM
Tiffany Ortego, One City Preschool in Madison, WI
Cielo Acosta, SLAM! Miami in Miami, FL
David Singer, University Prep in Denver, CO
Nathaniel Dunn III, i3 Academy in Birmingham, AL
Dr. Alissa Russell, Life High School Oak Cliff in Dallas, TX
Coach Jermar Rountree, Center City Public Charter - Brightwood Campus in Washington, DC

Quotes

“By nurturing the confidence of educators and offering platforms for networking and personal growth, we can empower them to become influential role models who inspire their students.- Andrea Thomas

"We are a group of educators with unwavering grit, committed to showing up every day and persevering in our mission."- David Singer

"I aim to cultivate resilience and a growth mindset in my students, empowering them to learn from mistakes and emerge stronger." – Jermar Rountree

"To retain quality educators, we need autonomy, validation, and respect. By involving us in important discussions, you create an environment that supports our best work.- Tiffany Ortego

“Empowering our students with advocacy skills can create a significant impact. Let's prioritize advocacy education”.- Dr. Alissa Russell

"Uplift your children with problem-solving strategies, but remember that guidance is essential. Show them the way to independence” - Nathaniel Dunn III

Chapters
00:00 Introduction
04:50 The Motivation Behind Teaching at Slam
05:53 Charter Schools: Solving the Math Problem
15:25 Teaching on Navajo Nation: Embracing Diversity
19:40 Elevating the Teaching Profession: Expanding Talent Pool
27:00 Fostering Respect and Communication Among Students
33:14 Investing in Educators for Success
40:53 Community, Safety, and Learning Skills for Students
47:29 Teaching Resilience and Embracing Failure
51:59 Creating Safe Spaces for Teachers
54:38 Mental Health Partnerships for Educators
1:05:36 Knowledge Sharing to Enhance Education
1:10:20 Grit and Perseverance: The Keys to Success
1:12:07 Outro