NC Association for Public Charter Schools 4
Director’s Note Welcome to the 2017 North Carolina Charter Schools Conference! I am thrilled and humbled to serve as your new Executive Director of the North Carolina Association for Public Charter Schools, and I am as equally excited for our conference to be held in my hometown. Our theme this year, The Gateway to Charter School Success, is inspired by the fact that Greensboro is nicknamed the “Gate City.” Its historical role as a major railway hub attracted economic development, particularly in textiles and furniture, to the Piedmont Triad. Greensboro is also the home of eight innovative charter schools, serving over 4,500 families by providing a choice in their children’s educations. Effective educators know that reflection is the key to success. That same philosophy applies to the success or failure of school choice. Throughout the conference you will be guided through the past, the present, and the future gateway of North Carolina’s charter school movement, from our invigorating breakout sessions to our inspiring speakers. On Monday, Shane Goodridge, former Duke professor, will discuss the historical influences leading to the emergence of charter schools, and Marcus Brandon of NC CAN will share the outcomes of this year’s legislative session. Dave Machado will provide an update from the Office of Charter Schools, and Lt. Gov. Dan Forrest will offer his vision for North Carolina charter schools. Monday evening will provide an opportunity for us to honor our teachers at a special reception off-site at The Public. Enjoy music from the father of beach music, Jackie Gore, while sipping our signature cocktail, the “Professional Development.” On Tuesday, students from Millenium Charter Academy will reveal how their school has influenced their futures. Deborah Wood, Charter School Teacher of the Year, Derrell Bradford, vice president of 50 CAN, and Bryan Setser, Entrepreneur in Residence at rpk GROUP, will unlock the gate to the future by challenging us to set a daring course forward. Our charter-friendly business supporters have paved the way for this year’s productive conference. As you visit their booths, please be sure to thank them. At the conclusion of our Tuesday closing session, we will draw for five amazing prizes: a one-year subscription to Castle Learning; an Acco digital whiteboard and an Ergotron stand-up teacher desk, both donated by Staples; a Riviera Nano Cam Drone from Office Depot; and grand prize is the F400-S 3D Printer from Fusion3. Collect points toward our drawing by playing “Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?” while visiting the sponsors’ booths. Thank you, teachers, school administrators, board members, vendors, parents, students, and supporters for being here. Your attendance sends the powerful message that we are united. We believe that laboratories of innovation are what is best for students, for students represent the future. The gate that was opened in 1996, allowing for the first charter schools, was just the beginning. In the words of Khalil Gibran, “Trust in dreams, for in them is hidden the gate to eternity.” For charter school success, I am
Rhonda Dillingham, Executive Director