'Parents want to be authentically included. They want to be respected.'

Recapping the Washington State Charters Schools Association Conference morning general session

The conference's lunch session got underway with a slip of the tongue from WA Charters CEO Patrick D'Amelio that tickled my funny bone as he introduced Michael Wooten, the inspiring, passionate grandparent of a young student who has found hope and a home at one of Washington's charter schools:

"Let's give a round warm of applause for Michael Wooten."
-@PatrickDAmelio at #wacharters18

— Matt Halvorson (@HalvyHalvorson) April 28, 2018

"We need to do better by our kids. We cannot let them fall behind."
-Michael Wooten#wacharters18

— Matt Halvorson (@HalvyHalvorson) April 28, 2018

"He's happy. He's good. And that's my dream for my grandson. I am grateful to my neighbor who told me about @Excel_WA. When it comes to excel and high-quality charter public schools, I am all in." -Michael Wooten, grandparent of an Excel student.#charterschools #wacharters18

— Matt Halvorson (@HalvyHalvorson) April 28, 2018

Next we were treated to a panel discussion on the challenges and rewards of founding a charter school:

Photo by Derrick Johnson

About to hear @tkporras facilitate a discussion about founding #charterschools from a number of perspectives. She's joined by @HongNhiDo, Thelma Jackson of @SOARAcademies, @BrendaPRIDEPrep, @jen_wickens and @striciaw. #wacharters18 #WAedu

— Matt Halvorson (@HalvyHalvorson) April 28, 2018

"@Impact_PSWA is opening its first school in 122 days. Yes, we have a countdown." -@jen_wickens. They are already at full enrollment and have started a waitlist. But they're still looking for a lead elementary teacher! Who do you know who would do great work at this new school?

— Matt Halvorson (@HalvyHalvorson) April 28, 2018

"@SOARAcademies is a very special place for me," says Dr. Thelma Jackson, describing the process of going from idea to reality in founding a #charterschool, especially with all the misguided opposition she faced throughout the process in Washington State.

— Matt Halvorson (@HalvyHalvorson) April 28, 2018

"What I thought was going to be a one- or two-year stint on the board turned into, well, here I still am."
-Thelma Jackson, @SOARAcademies

— Matt Halvorson (@HalvyHalvorson) April 28, 2018

"For us, our engagement work started by us listening to the community on a listening tour, asking, "what is it that this community needs?" And co-designing our model around meeting those needs."
-@jen_wickens

— Matt Halvorson (@HalvyHalvorson) April 28, 2018

#wacharters18

— Matt Halvorson (@HalvyHalvorson) April 28, 2018

"Parents want to be authentically included. They want to be respected."
-Thelma Jackson#wacharters18

— Matt Halvorson (@HalvyHalvorson) April 28, 2018