Discussing the District and Charter Collaborative with Raphael Arza
Providing Choice: A Florida Charter School Alliance Podcast
Release Date: 10/04/2021
Doral College with Cristina Romero, VP of Student Affairs
Providing Choice: A Florida Charter School Alliance Podcast
From Educator to Leader: How Doral College’s Master’s & Modified Programs Fast-Track Your Path to Florida Principal Licensure Cristina Romero, VP for Student Affairs at Doral College, talks with us about their innovative Master’s in Educational Leadership program and Modified Educational Leadership Curriculum—designed to prepare educators who already hold graduate degrees in the field. These programs provide a pathway to becoming highly effective educational leaders, successfully passing the FELE, and earning Level 1 Leadership licensure in the State of Florida. The Florida...
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talking with Rob Warholic, the founder of BRJ Restoration
Providing Choice: A Florida Charter School Alliance Podcast
On this episode of Providing Choice, we hear from Rob Warholic, the founder of BRJ Restoration. Specializing in asbestos abatement, water damage, mold remediation, and demolition, they handle multiple trades in-house—cutting delays and keeping projects moving. Their approach is safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible, serving schools across Florida. Rob is the one you call when the job has to be done right. The Florida Charter School Alliance (FCSA) is a member-driven organization focused on influencing legislative policy and environments with unrivaled...
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Part 2 of a new three-part series on Transforming School Facilities into Vibrant Community Hubs
Providing Choice: A Florida Charter School Alliance Podcast
Join the FCSA for episode 2 of a new three-part series on transforming school facilities into vibrant community hubs. Guests Geri Chaffee (Dreamers Academy), Alma Ollva (United Way Suncoast), Tina Smith (Highmark School Development), and Suzanne Metzgar (Leadwell Partners) share expert insights on designing educational spaces that promote academic achievement and community well-being. To learn more about our guests and access the resources mentioned in this episode, click the links below.
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Transforming School Facilities into Vibrant Community Hubs - Part ONE
Providing Choice: A Florida Charter School Alliance Podcast
Join FCSA for a new three-part series on transforming school facilities into vibrant community hubs. In Episode 1, hear from Geri Chaffee (Dreamers Academy), Alma Ovalle (United Way Suncoast), Tina Smith (Highmark School Development), and Suzanne Metzgar (Leadwell Partners) as they share expert insights on designing educational spaces that promote academic achievement and community well-being. Throughout the series, we’ll explore trends in school facility use, strategies to expand community support, and practical steps to fund and implement high-impact initiatives....
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Special Event Risk Management with Egis and Florida Insurance Alliance
Providing Choice: A Florida Charter School Alliance Podcast
On this episode of Providing Choice, we learn about Special Event Risk Management from the experts at the Florida Insurance Alliance and Egis Insurance and Risk Advisors, Ryan Rupnarian & Brent Grimmel. This is an important topic for charter school leaders who plan proms, fundraisers, and special events on and off campus. The Florida Charter School Alliance (FCSA) is a member-driven organization focused on influencing legislative policy and environments with unrivaled success in advocating for and protecting charter schools and parental choice. The FCSA advocates for, defends, supports,...
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Dr. Jessica Barr on understanding the data of the NAEP and Charter School success
Providing Choice: A Florida Charter School Alliance Podcast
Grades aren't the only measure of success. While they offer a familiar performance benchmark, they don't capture the full picture. On this episode of Providing Choice, Dr. Jessica Barr contextualizes NAEP scores and explores charter school achievements and learning gains that recent NAEP data doesn't reflect. The Florida Charter School Alliance (FCSA) is a member-driven organization focused on influencing legislative policy and environments with unrivaled success in advocating for and protecting charter schools and parental choice. The FCSA advocates for, defends, supports, and...
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Adriana Diaz-Garcia of Somerset Academy Palms on becoming a High Perferforming School and School of Excellence
Providing Choice: A Florida Charter School Alliance Podcast
March 2025 marks five years since the COVID-19 lockdowns began. While many headlines focus on what’s not working in education, we will highlight what is working at Florida charter schools. In this episode, Adriana Diaz-Garcia, Principal of Somerset Academy Palms in Miami-Dade, talks about student achievement and acceleration on campus and their journey to becoming a "High Performing” school and earning a"Florida School of Excellence" award. The Florida Charter School Alliance (FCSA) is a member-driven organization focused on influencing legislative policy and environments with...
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talking with Jim Horne, Florida Charter school pioneer and champion
Providing Choice: A Florida Charter School Alliance Podcast
On the episode of Providing Choice, Jim Horne talks about the upcoming 2025 Florida Legislative Session and gives parents and educators tips for reaching out to legislators. As a State Senator and Commissioner of Education, Jim Horne has played a pivotal role in advancing Florida's school choice movement and policies that empowered students and parents. Throughout his career, Jim's unwavering commitment to educational reform has earned him widespread respect as a national leader in education policy, a tireless advocate, and a trusted ally. The Florida Charter School...
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Talking with Teacher of the Year, Shereen Reid
Providing Choice: A Florida Charter School Alliance Podcast
A quick interview with Teacher of the Year, Shereen Reid, as FCSA Executive Director Lynn Norman-Teck visits her class and they sit for a fantastic talk about what inspires Shereen on Providing Choice: The Florida Charter School Alliance Podcast The Florida Charter School Alliance (FCSA) is a member-driven organization focused on influencing legislative policy and environments with unrivaled success in advocating for and protecting charter schools and parental choice. The FCSA advocates for, defends, supports, and collaborates with public charter schools that serve close to 400,000 students...
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What the Returning Education to Our States Act means to Florida and charter schools.
Providing Choice: A Florida Charter School Alliance Podcast
On this episode of Providing Choice, a Florida Charter School Alliance podcast series, Dr. Tony Arza discusses what the Returning Education to Our States Act means to Florida and charter schools. The Bill, introduced by Senator Rounds of South Dakota, proposes the redistribution of programs from the U.S. Department of Education to other federal departments. The Florida Charter School Alliance (FCSA) is a member-driven organization focused on influencing legislative policy and environments with unrivaled success in advocating for and protecting charter schools and parental choice. The...
info_outlineIn September 2021, the Florida Charter School Alliance – in partnership with the Florida Department of Education – launched the District/Charter Collaborative. The first initiative of its kind in Florida, the Collaborative brings together district and charter school educational leaders to share best practices.
We spoke with Raphael Arza, who is coordinating the District and Charter Collaborative with the Florida Charter School Alliance in partnership with the Florida Department of Education. Please have a listen and for more just click on the link below.
Hosted by the FCSA's Lynn Norman-Teck, Providing Choice is a Florida Charter School Alliance podcast. Episodes highlight charter school leaders, educators, governing board members, stakeholders, prospective founders, students and parents, to provide a better understanding of the Charter School movement in Florida.
The Florida Alliance is a non-profit charter school support and advocacy organization. Our mission is to increase student achievement and meet the demand for parental choice by assisting high quality public charter schools in Florida. Visit our website at flcharteralliance.org
Follow us on twitter at twitter.com/FLcharter
Follow/Like us on Facebook at Facebook.com/Choice.FCSA