Meet the Founders
The Founders Library presents individuals who played an active role in the pioneering of the charter schools movement across the nation. This also includes those who have been instrumental in founding charter schools.
DEFINING
Founder
[found·er | ˈfau̇n-dər] noun
One from whom something originates. One who lays a foundation. One who establishes something special. Ideas matter.
Norman Atkins
DC | Educator & Advocate
Co-Founder, North Star Academy (Newark)
Josephine (Jo) Baker
DC | Educator & Advocate
Executive Director, DC Public Charter School Board (2002 - 2011)
John Booy
MI | Educator & Founding Board Member
Excel Charter Academy
Sue Burr
CA | Educator & Advocate
California State Board of Education
John Ellis (Jeb) Bush
FL | Governor
Florida Governor (1999 - 2007)
Darlene Chambers, Ph.D.
OH | Educator & Advocate
Andy DeVries
MI | Board President
Grand River Preparatory High School
David (Dave) Durenberger
MN | Senator
US Senate (1978 - 1995)
John Engler
MI | Governor
Michigan Governor (1991 - 2003)
Howard Fuller, Ph.D.
WI | Educator, Advocate & Civil Rights Activist
Founder, Institute for the Transformation of Learning at Marquette University
Jim Goenner, Ph.D.
MI | Advocate & Activist
President and CEO, National Charter Schools Institute
Gary Hart
CA | Legislature
California State Assemblyman and Senator (1974-1994)
Shavar Jeffries
NJ | Advocate
President, Democrats for Education Reform
Ember Reichgott Junge
MN | Legislature
Minnesota State Senator (1983-2001)
Hon. Margaret (Peggy) Kerns (In Memoriam)
CO | Legislature
Colorado State Representative (1988-1997)
Ted Kolderie
MI | Education Policy, Advocate & Activist
Author and Founding Partner, Education Evolving
Mary L. Kramer
MI | Communications
Group Publisher, Crain Communications
Former Board Chair, Grand Valley State University
Arend Donselaar "Don" Lubbers
MI | Educator
Former President, Grand Valley State University
Carmen N’Namdi
MI | Educator & Advocate
Founder, Nataki Talibah Schoolhouse of Detroit
Joe Nathan, Ph.D.
MN | Educator & Activist
Director, Center for School Change
Will Marshall
DC | Activist & Advocate
President and Founder, Progressive Policy Institute
Alex Medler, Ph.D.
CO | Activist & Advocate
Executive Director, Colorado Association of Charter School Authorizers
Richard McLellan
MI | Advocate
GOP Lawyer and Political Advisor
Robert (Bob) C. Mills, Ph.D.
MI | Educator
Former Professor, Central Michigan University
Former Executive Director, Charter Schools Office, Central Michigan University
Mark Murray
MI | Educator
Former President, Grand Valley State University (2001-2006)
Tom Nida
DC | Educator
Former chair, Washington D.C. Public Charter School Board
William (Bill) K. Owens
CO | Governer
Colorado Governor (1999-2007)
Dick Posthumus
MI | Legislature
Lt. Governor (1991-1999)
Eric Premack
CA | Advocate & Activist
Executive Director & Founder, Charter Schools Development Center
Nina Rees
DC | Advocate & Activist
President & CEO, National Alliance for Public Charter Schools
Gloria Bonilla-Santiago
NJ | Educator & Advocate
Chairperson and Founder, LEAP Academy University Charter School
Jon Schroeder
MN | Public Policy & Advocate
Former Senior Staff to US Senator Dave Durenberger (1984-1994) & Senior Fellow, Education Evolving
Mary Kay Shields
MI | Educator, Public Policy & Advocate
Special Advisor to Governor John Engler, for Charter School Development (1995-1997)
Nelson Smith
WI | Advocate
Senior Advisor, National Association of Charter School Authorizer
W. Sidney (Sid) Smith
MI | Advocate
Former Board Chair, Central Michigan University & Board Chair, National Charter Schools Institute
Richard K. Studley
MI | Advocate
President & CEO, Michigan Chamber of Commerce & Board Vice Chair, Central Michigan University
Sarah Tantillo, Ed.D
NJ | Educator & Advocate
Former coordinator of the New Jersey Charter School Resource Center
Don Weatherspoon, Ph.D.
MI | Educator & Advocate
Former Emergency Manager for Muskegon Heights and Highland Park School Districts
Joe Williams
NY | Advocate
Founder Director, Democrats for Education Reform
Leonard (Len) C. Wolfe
MI | Attorney, Government Policy and Practice
Chairman and CEO, Dykema
Caprice Young
CA | Advocate
President, Education Growth Group
Connect Us with a Charter Founder or Impacter!
Were you instrumental in the charter schools movement or do you know someone who was? Help the Founders Library make a connection by filling out this form.
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