Dive into the extraordinary life and legacy of General Lloyd 'Fig' Newton in this captivating episode of SC Charter Chatter. From a determined South Carolina native with dreams that defied expectations, General Newton soared to become the first African-American pilot with the US Air Force Demonstration Team, 'The Thunderbirds,' shattering barriers along the way. Hosted by the Public Charter School Alliance of SC, this episode explores General Newton's journey from childhood dream...

Welcome to the latest episode of SC Charter Chatter! In this insightful installment, we sit down with Jimmy Lamb, the founding board member of Goucher Charter Academy, a new charter school dedicated to serving students in grades 6-8. Join us as Jimmy shares the passion and vision behind the establishment of Goucher Academy, shedding light on the driving force behind creating an innovative educational option for families in the community. In this candid conversation, Jimmy delves into the chal...

Welcome to a special episode of SC Charter Chatter, where we delve into education and youth empowerment. In this episode, we are privileged to sit with the renowned Tara Brown, the keynote speaker at the 23rd Annual South Carolina Charter Schools Conference. Tara, widely known as the "Connection Coach," is an award-winning educator, author, and speaker who has dedicated her career to unlocking youth's potential through positive connections. Join us as Tara shares her insights on why she belie...

In this heartwarming and insightful episode of SC Charter Chatter, we sit down with a dedicated parent from Odyssey Online Learning Charter School to hear her inspiring story and gain a unique perspective on the world of virtual education. Join us as we delve into the experiences of this extraordinary parent who has seen her child thrive in the Odyssey learning environment. Our guest will share her journey and the positive impact online learning has had on her child's education. From the flex...

In this episode of SC Charter Chatter, we have the honor of sitting down with an educational leader, the Principal of Richland One Middle College, Dr. Carla Brabham. Join us as we delve into an inspiring conversation about the remarkable work being done at Richland One Middle College to shape the future of its students. Richland One Middle College is not your typical school. It's a place where innovation, mentorship, and a deep commitment to student success converge. Dr. Brabham brings her ex...

In an interview with SC Charter Chatter, Fox Creek principal Mr. Josh Trahan discusses his perspective on the upcoming school year and the preparations made by the teachers and staff at FCHS. Reflecting on the 20-year history of Fox Creek, he shares insights on the school's origin and how it has achieved success in educating students while fostering a strong bond with the local community. During our conversation, Mr. Trahan also emphasizes the significance of the charter school movement for t...

A powerful conversation in episode 15 of SC Charter Chatter as we continue our celebration of Black History Month. We're spotlighting the work being done by African-American school leaders in South Carolina's charter schools. We discuss their educational contributions and hear about the impactful work for families and students. We talk to Pee Dee Math, Science, and Technology Academy Charter School Executive Director Mr. Keith Bailey in this episode. A founding member of PDMSTA, Mr. Bai...

In episode 14, we continue celebrating Black History Month. We're spotlighting the work done in South Carolina and, more specifically, in our state's charter schools. We discuss their contributions to education and hear about the impactful work they are doing for families and students. In this episode, we talk to the Virtus Academy Charter School Principal Shemekia Nero. She's a veteran educator but is new to Virtus Academy. Ms. Nero shares her unique experiences throughout her educatio...

In episode 13, we kick off our series celebrating Black History Month. We're spotlighting the work done in South Carolina and, more specifically, in our state's charter schools throughout the month. We discuss their contributions to education and hear about the impactful work they are doing for families and students. In this episode, we talk to the Executive Director at Spartanburg Preparatory School, Dr. Tomikia Whitmire. She's been with Spartanburg Prep since the doors opened in 2009....

In episode 12, we talk with the President and CEO of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools. We discuss the latest happenings inside the charter community on the national and state levels. We talk about the importance of school choice, and the opportunities charter schools provide for families and students. Nina shares her passion for education and how she became an advocate for charter schools all over the country. Plus, she updates us on current legislation that could affect chart...