Jim Goenner, Ph.D.

Authorizing Booklet FREE DOWNLOAD Explore “Authorizingwith Purpose” Download our “Authorizing with Purpose” booklet and learn how the National Charter Schools Institute team equips authorizers with proven tools, practical guidance, and…

School as Community A reflection from Mike Chalupa and LaShawn Bowser, City Neighbors Foundation, INC. City Neighbors started with families in a living room asking a question that still guides us: if we could build the best public school experience we can imagine, what would it be. Those families weren’t looking for something exclusive. They…

In partnership with the Diverse Charter Schools Coalition Overview What happens when a school is built around a simple, demanding belief: students learn best when they are deeply known, fully included, and trusted with real agency. In Season 3, Episode 7 of Bold By Choice Podcast, we travel to Baltimore to visit City Neighbors, a…

Neurodiversity in Action A reflection from Dr. Matthew Tyson I grew up moving every few years, living in different states and experiencing very different school systems. What stayed with me was not just the change, but the realization that a child’s educational experience can vary dramatically depending on where they live. Expectations change. Support changes….

In partnership with the Diverse Charter Schools Coalition Overview What does it look like when inclusion is not a strategy, a program, or a compliance requirement, but the foundation of a school’s identity. In Season 3, Episode 6 of the Bold By Choice Podcast, we visit Tapestry Public Charter School, a middle and high school…

Think Big. Build Big. A reflection from Halis Kablan When I first joined Beehive Science and Technology Academy nearly twenty years ago, we were a small school serving about 150 students in the basement of an office building. Resources were limited, but our mission was clear. Science and technology education should be for everyone. That…

In partnership with the Diverse Charter Schools Coalition Overview What does it look like when excellence in STEM education is paired with deep belonging and cultural inclusion. In Season 3, Episode 5 of the Bold By Choice Podcast, we travel to Utah to visit Beehive Science and Technology Academy, a K–12 public charter school proving…

Join us for the Innovative Schools Summit New York on February 25-28, 2026. Network with fellow educators and learn from nationally recognized speakers who share their experiences and proven strategies…

Two days of learning, networking, innovation, and statewide connection. We’re excited to invite you to attend or sponsor the 2026 Annual Colorado Charter Schools Conference—your premier opportunity to connect, learn, and grow with charter educators,…

The California Charter Schools Conference is the state’s premiere charter event and delivers four days of inspirational keynotes and critical sessions with turnkey tools and strategies for educators, school leaders,…

By Jim Goenner, Ph.D.In partnership with Bluum | January 2026 Public education is not a program. It’s a civic infrastructure. When it works, it transforms lives, supports families, encourages educators, strengthens communities, and makes Idaho a great place to live, work, and play. Since its founding in 1890, Idaho has long valued freedom and limited…

The future isn’t waiting—it’s already here. Our duty as educators and school system leaders is to ensure that every child in every community is prepared to find success on a…

Human First, Excellent Always A reflection from Steven Palmer When I think about the work we do at Valor Collegiate Academies, I always come back to a simple belief. Students are human first, and they deserve schools that honor their full humanity while holding them to the highest expectations. Joining the Bold By Choice Podcast…

In partnership with the Diverse Charter Schools Coalition Overview What becomes possible when a school begins with a simple conviction. Students are human first, and excellence should always be within reach. Season 3, Episode 4 of the Bold By Choice Podcast takes us to Valor Collegiate Academies in Nashville, Tennessee, a network known for its…

The National ESEA Conference is intentionally aimed at coordination among federal education programs under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) and other federal programs. Join us at the Colorado…

Join us at the MAAP Conference 2026, where educators come together to explore innovative approaches to education. Learn from your peers across the state as we all work to create…

Diverse Charter Schools Coalition 2026 Annual Convening. What does “better together” look like for communities choosing diversity in divided times?

Michigan Career Education Conference 2026. The 2026 Michigan Career Education Conference is Michigan’s ONLY open education career conference. This is your chance to discover innovative tactics that best position occupational…

Wisconsin State Education Convention 2026. Don’t miss Wisconsin’s biggest education event! Join us in Milwaukee from Jan. 21-23 to grow, develop and lead with purpose. The theme for 2026 is: Collaborate….

Beyond College Prep A reflection from Sarah Anderson For most of my career, I have been driven by one question. Who gets access to great schools, and who gets left out? That question is what brought me to Blackstone Valley Prep, and it is what continues to guide our work every day. Serving students from…

Better Together: Inside the Movement for Intentionally Diverse Schools By Sonia Park & Ashley Heard, Diverse Charter Schools Coalition We were grateful for the opportunity to join Season 3 of the Bold by Choice podcast to discuss a belief that guides our work every day. Schools should reflect the world students live in, and intentionally…