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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.

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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

Norman Atkins

DC  |  Educator & Advocate
Co-Founder, North Star Academy (Newark)

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Josephine (Jo) Baker

DC  |  Educator & Advocate
Executive Director, DC Public Charter School Board (2002 - 2011)

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Chris Barbic

TN  |  Educator
Partner with The City Fund

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Jim Blew

DC  |  Advocate
Co-Founder, Defense of Freedom Institute for Policy Studies

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Darrell Bradford

NY |  Advocate
President of 50CAN

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John Booy

MI  |  Educator & Founding Board Member
Excel Charter Academy

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Sue Burr

CA  |  Educator & Advocate
California State Board of Education

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John Ellis (Jeb) Bush

FL  |  Governor
Florida Governor (1999 - 2007)

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Don Cooper

MI  |  Educator & Advocate

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Darlene Chambers

OH  |  Educator & Advocate

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Andy DeVries

MI  |  Board President
Grand River Preparatory High School

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David (Dave) Durenberger

MN  |  Senator
US Senate (1978 - 1995)

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John Engler

MI  |  Governor
Michigan Governor (1991 - 2003)

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Howard Fuller, Ph.D.

WI  |  Educator, Advocate & Civil Rights Activist
Founder, Institute for the Transformation of Learning at Marquette University

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Jim Goenner, Ph.D.

MI  |  Advocate & Activist
President and CEO, National Charter Schools Institute

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Gary Hart

CA  |  Legislature
California State Assemblyman and Senator (1974-1994)

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Shavar Jeffries

NJ  |  Advocate
President, Democrats for Education Reform

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Ember Reichgott Junge

MN  |  Legislature
Minnesota State Senator (1983-2001)

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Hon. Margaret (Peggy) Kerns (In Memoriam)

CO  |  Legislature
Colorado State Representative (1988-1997)

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Ted Kolderie

MI  |  Education Policy, Advocate & Activist
Author and Founding Partner, Education Evolving

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Mary L. Kramer

MI  |  Communications
Group Publisher, Crain Communications
Former Board Chair, Grand Valley State University

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Arend Donselaar "Don" Lubbers

MI  |  Educator
Former President, Grand Valley State University

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Carmen N’Namdi

MI  |  Educator & Advocate
Founder, Nataki Talibah Schoolhouse of Detroit

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Joe Nathan, Ph.D.

MN  |  Educator & Activist
Director, Center for School Change

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Will Marshall

DC  |  Activist & Advocate
President and Founder, Progressive Policy Institute

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Alex Medler, Ph.D.

CO  |  Activist & Advocate
Executive Director, Colorado Association of Charter School Authorizers

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Richard McLellan

MI  |  Advocate
GOP Lawyer and Political Advisor

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Robert (Bob) C. Mills, Ph.D.

MI  |  Educator
Former Professor, Central Michigan University
Former Executive Director, Charter Schools Office, Central Michigan University

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Mark Murray

MI  |  Educator
Former President, Grand Valley State University (2001-2006)

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Tom Nida

DC  |  Educator
Former chair, Washington D.C. Public Charter School Board

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William (Bill) K. Owens

CO  |  Governer
Colorado Governor (1999-2007)

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Dick Posthumus

MI  |  Legislature
Lt. Governor (1991-1999)

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Eric Premack

CA  |  Advocate & Activist
Executive Director & Founder, Charter Schools Development Center

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Nina Rees

DC  |  Advocate & Activist
President & CEO, National Alliance for Public Charter Schools

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Gloria Bonilla-Santiago

Gloria Bonilla-Santiago

NJ  | Educator & Advocate
Chairperson and Founder, LEAP Academy University Charter School

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Jon Schroeder

MN  |  Public Policy & Advocate
Former Senior Staff to US Senator Dave Durenberger (1984-1994) & Senior Fellow, Education Evolving

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Mary Kay Shields

MI  |  Educator, Public Policy & Advocate
Special Advisor to Governor John Engler, for Charter School Development (1995-1997)

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Nelson Smith

WI  |  Advocate
Senior Advisor, National Association of Charter School Authorizer

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W. Sidney (Sid) Smith

MI  |  Advocate
Former Board Chair, Central Michigan University & Board Chair, National Charter Schools Institute

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Ricardo Soto

CA  |  Advocate
Chief Advocacy Officer and General Counsel at the California Charter School Association

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Richard K. Studley

MI  |  Advocate
President & CEO, Michigan Chamber of Commerce & Board Vice Chair, Central Michigan University

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Sarah Tantillo, Ed.D

NJ  |  Educator & Advocate
Former coordinator of the New Jersey Charter School Resource Center

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Don Weatherspoon, Ph.D.

MI  |  Educator & Advocate
Former Emergency Manager for Muskegon Heights and Highland Park School Districts

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Joe Williams

NY  |  Advocate
Founder Director, Democrats for Education Reform

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Roblin Webb

TN  |  Educator
Chief Executive Officer of Freedom Prep Charter Schools

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Leonard (Len) C. Wolfe

MI  |  Attorney, Government Policy and Practice
Chairman and CEO, Dykema

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Caprice-Young

Caprice Young

CA  |  Advocate
President, Education Growth Group

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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.

  • Please include the founder's name, state of origin, and a quick description of their contribution.

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