Transforming School Facilities into Vibrant Community Hubs - Part ONE
Providing Choice: A Florida Charter School Alliance Podcast
Release Date: 09/13/2025
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...
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The Election Results and what they mean for Charter Schools with Dr. Tony Arza
Providing Choice: A Florida Charter School Alliance Podcast
Last night's results and what they mean for Charter Schools - Dr. Tony Arza on The Florida Charter School Alliance podcast , Providing Choice, discusses last night's election and what it means for schools of choice, with Executive Director Lynn Norman-Teck The voice of the charter school movement, the Florida Charter School Alliance (FCSA) is non-profit, member-driven organization. Our mission is to improve student achievement, teacher quality, and promote parental choice by advocating for, supporting, defending, and collaborating with public charter schools. Our member schools serve...
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Ryan Lamping and Amergis, providing solutions for schools
Providing Choice: A Florida Charter School Alliance Podcast
Meet Ryan Lamping and his team at Amergis - they are providing long-term solutions to challenging staffing shortages at schools nationwide. In this episode, Ryan explains how they find critical staff — from teachers, nurses, paraprofessionals, behavior services professionals, and even cafeteria staff — for Florida school districts and charter schools. Learn more about Amergis at or visit Marketplace at The voice of the charter school movement, the Florida Charter School Alliance (FCSA) is non-profit, member-driven organization. Our mission is to improve student achievement, teacher...
info_outlineJoin 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.
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from leaders who are making school-centered communities a reality—boosting equity, access, health, and student success.