• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

Founders Library

  • Explore
    • Search Library
    • Timeline
      • National
      • California
      • Colorado
      • Massachusetts
      • Michigan
      • Minnesota
      • New Jersey
      • New York
    • Categories
    • Bookshelf
    • → Zero Chance of Passage

    • EXHIBITS
    • 30th Anniversary of Chartering
    • → Share Your Story
    • Peril and Promise
  • Who We Are
    • About the Library
    • Board of Advisors
      • Josephine Baker
      • Chris Barbic
      • Jim Blew
      • Derrell Bradford
      • Don Cooper
      • John Engler
      • Jim Goenner, Ph.D.
      • Howard Fuller, Ph.D.
      • Gary Hart
      • Ember Reichgott Junge
      • Ted Kolderie
      • Alex Medler, Ph.D.
      • William (Bill) F. Owens
      • Eric Premack
      • Nina Rees
      • Ricardo Soto
      • Roblin Webb
    • Meet the Founders
    • Charter History
    • News Blog
  • Get Involved
    • Ways to Get Involved
    • → Give
    • → Gather
    • → Share
    • Campaigns
    • → Get Your State on the Map
  • Contact Us
  • Donate

MI

Interview of Buzz Thomas

May 7, 2025

Jim Goenner sits down with Senator Buzz Thomas to commemorate 30 years of Michigan’s charter school movement. Buzz shares his personal journey from Detroit Waldorf to the state Senate, the origins of the “hire me, fire me” campaign pledge, and his vision for empowering neighborhoods through quality public-school choice. Along the way, he reflects on […]

Interview of Betsy DeVos

March 10, 2025

Betsy DeVos discussed her lifelong advocacy for education freedom, emphasizing the importance of diverse learning environments. She highlighted her role in establishing the West Michigan Aviation Academy and her involvement in Michigan’s charter school movement. DeVos challenged the traditional education system’s bureaucracy and advocated for policies that empower parents and families. She noted the obstacles […]

Interview of Phil Pavlov

February 27, 2025

Phil Pavlov, former Michigan State Senator, discussed his journey in education policy, emphasizing the importance of parental choice and the role of charter schools. He highlighted the challenges and successes of the charter movement in Michigan, noting the significant increase in charter school enrollment to 150,000 students annually. Pavlov reflected on his 14-year tenure in […]

THE ORIGINATION OF MICHIGAN’S CHARTER SCHOOL POLICY: AN HISTORICAL ANALYSIS 

February 5, 2025

by Jim Goenner, Ph.D. The dissertation “The Origination of Michigan’s Charter School Policy: An Historical Analysis” by James N. Goenner (2011) examines how Michigan’s charter school policy was created, with a focus on Governor John Engler’s role as a public policy entrepreneur. Key Themes & Findings: The study provides a historical and political analysis of […]

Interview of Dick DeVos

February 3, 2025

November 11, 2024. James Goenner, Ph.D. of the National Charter Schools Institute, interviews Dick DeVos, Founder of West Michigan Aviation Academy in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Dick DeVos, founder of the West Michigan Aviation Academy, discussed his journey from an uninspired student to a champion for educational freedom. He emphasized the importance of attitude, effort, and […]

Arc Changer Stories: GVSU and Flint Cultural Center Academy #SchoolBrag

May 17, 2024

Learn more and watch the National Charter Schools Institute with Grand Valley State University and ​Flint Cultural Center Academy, working together to advance education.https://nationalcharterschools.org/resource/arc-changer-stories-relationships-matter/

J.C. Huizenga – Bio

December 7, 2023

View Charter Founders J.C. Huizenga Founder, National Heritage Academies, Inc. J.C. Huizenga is an entrepreneur, education reformer and business leader. J.C. founded National Heritage Academies, Inc. (NHA) in 1995. NHA now serves over 67,000 students, from kindergarten through high school in Michigan. Entrepreneurial penchant appears to run in the Huizenga family. His grandfather emigrated from […]

Jim Barrett – Bio

November 14, 2023

View Charter Founders Jim Barrett Board Chair, National Charter Schools Institute Jim Barrett served for 32 years as President & CEO of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, and Advocate for Private enterprise in the legislative, regulatory, political and judicial process. Jim was named by the Michigan Political Historical Society in 2003 as the most effective […]

Jim Goenner inducted into the National Charter Schools Hall of Fame

November 3, 2023

Interview of Jim Barrett

July 26, 2023

Next Page »

Footer

711 West Pickard Street, Suite M
Mount Pleasant, MI 48858

(989) 317-3510
contact@charterlibrary.org

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Instagram

Explore

  • Search
  • Timeline
  • Categories
  • Bookshelf

Who We Are

  • About the Library
  • Board of Advisors
  • Meet the Founders
  • Charter History
  • News Blog

Get Involved

  • Ways to Get Involved
  • Give
  • Gather
  • Share
  • All Campaigns
  • Founding Friends
  • Get Your State on the Map

Cart

Copyright © 2025 Charter Library · Site by LimeCuda · Sitemap