Charter School Innovation Series: Creating Education Environments for Student Success

In this episode of Get Schooled on Public Education, we focus on strategies charter schools have implemented to create educational environments to improve student outcomes. We talked to Dr. Reneta C. Johnson, the executive director at Legacy Prep in Alabama and Zak Dominello, the executive director from Ricardo Flores Magón Academy in Colorado. They discussed their leadership styles, approach to student learning, parent and community engagement, and intentional practices that have helped them thrive in the public education space. Learn more about their challenges, successes, and the specific steps they’ve taken to enhance their school culture and boost student achievement by fostering a positive learning environment.

Guests

• Dr. Reneta C. Johnson, Executive Director/Head of Schools at Legacy Prep in Birmingham, Alabama.
• Zak Dominello, Executive Director/Head of School at Ricardo Flores Magón Academy in Denver, Colorado.

Episode Takeaways:

• Charter schools are free, public, and open to all.
• Intentional leadership and setting examples are instrumental in creating and maintaining a positive school culture.
• Data-driven instruction and providing targeted support for teachers and students help boost student achievement.
• Engage and consider the voices of teachers, students, parents, and the community in school decision making.

Quotes:

• Dr. Reneta C. Johnson
  • “We are very intentional about providing individual learning for our scholars.”
• Zak Dominello
  • “When we as a community feel passionate about something, we get together, and we make it happen.”

Chapters: 

00:00 – Introduction
01:27 - Charter school innovation and student success explored.
03:16 - Cultivating Buy-In: Merging Visions in Established Cultures
03:49 - Overcoming leadership change, focusing on culture.
06:38 - Improving reading skills through teacher support and training
08:27 - Tailoring Plans for Academic and Emotional Growth
10:08 - College camp work, neuroscience graduate, science educator
11:53 - Continued Support: Pushing Success and Addressing Needs
16:57 - Charters teach importance of community involvement.
20:31 - Understanding Cultural Impacts in Education
22:08 - Embracing Migration as a Celebration of Diversity
24:28 - The Role of Charter Schools in Education
25:44 - Outro