In this powerful episode of The Living Undeterred Podcast, host Jeff Johnston sits down with Dr. Cynthia Knight, founder of Iowa Choice Charter School, for a deeply personal and eye-opening conversation about education, equity, and second chances. After years in special education and with a daughter who struggled in traditional schools, Dr. Knight saw firsthand how many students fall through the cracks of the public school system. What began as a dream became a statewide innovation: an online charter school built specifically for kids who have been bullied, expelled, overwhelmed, or simply left behind.

Jeff and Dr. Knight dive into:

• The emotional toll of school-based trauma on kids and families
• How Iowa’s new charter school laws created an opportunity for change
• Why testing and rigid pacing hurt more than help
• The power of meeting students where they are
• Success stories from students who found purpose in farming, welding, parenting, and more
• What the future holds for education that centers empathy, flexibility, and individual growth

This episode is a must-listen for parents, educators, and advocates who believe that all kids—regardless of circumstance—deserve a chance to thrive.

Learn more or enroll: iowachoicecharterschool.org

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