Spotlight: AAE Public Charter School Teachers Speak Out

Ms. Becky Baird: "One of the best things about teaching in a charter school is having the freedom to be a master teacher through innovation, high expectations and a level of autonomy teachers in conventional education only dream about. Charter schools allow teachers the freedom to teach using their ingenuity, creativity and energy to focus on content rather than preparing for standardized tests. It's why people go into education in the first place - to teach, teach, teach!" Click here to read more.

Ms. Christina Aus: "Educators as well as the general public often have misconceptions about charter schools. 'I think that all educators face a myriad of misconceptions whether they are in a district or a charter school,' Aus notes. One misconception regards financing. 'Charter schools currently do not receive allocated funding from local bonds and levies. We rely on additional fundraisers, donations, and other financial means to meet our goals and objectives.'" Click here to read more.

Conference Spotlight: AAE Member Advocacy Leader Ms. Rhonda Lochiatto spoke on an American Federation for Children (AFC) conference panel about school leadership. As a charter school teacher in Florida, Rhonda spoke about the importance of empowering teachers as leaders. "We need to stop perpetuating the myth that teachers are not in support of education reform," said Rhonda. "As a charter school teacher, I'm directly benefiting from school choice in action and I'm grateful."Click here to read more about the AFC conference.