Maryland Virtual Charter Schools Conference

Wednesday, May 11, 2022
From 11 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (virtual)

Sponsored By

Registrants can access conference materials & presentations, contacts, exhibitors and more on the WHOVA App until August 11, 2022.

The Maryland Alliance of Public Charter Schools (MAPCS) will host, The Maryland Virtual Charter Schools Conference, Creating Choices, Inspiring Innovation on May 11, 2022 from 11 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. This will be a virtual gathering of current and aspiring charter school leaders, teachers, school administrators, operations personnel, and board members. 

An inspirational keynote speaker will kick off the conference, followed by engaging breakout sessions that will focus on leadership & governance, ​​mental health & social emotional learning, ​​schoolwide equity practices, operations and more.

Additionally there will be a charter school award ceremony, virtual exhibitors, and giveaways for conference participants.

MAPCS' mission is to create and protect the conditions that enable the public charter school sector to thrive, with a larger goal of ensuring all Maryland children and families have equitable access to a high-quality public education. MAPCS is a nonprofit and non-partisan group that represents charter school communities by: 

• Advocating for equitable and transparent conditions for public charter schools; 

• Offering support to new and existing public charter schools; 

• Steering the discussion promoting innovative educational practices that lead to positive outcomes for students.

This event has ended.

This will be a virtual gathering of current and aspiring charter school leaders, teachers, school administrators, operations personnel, and board members. Sessions will be exciting, thought-provoking, innovative and energizing.

• Engaging Lectures

• Interactive Panel Discussions

• Informative Interviews

• Energizing Roundtable Discussions

• Real-time Question and Answer Sessions

Call for Proposals

The submission period is now closed.

Workshop proposals are now being accepted. This is an opportunity for you to share your successes, host thought-provoking conversations, or seek input from others who are deeply involved in and committed to public charter schools.

Deadline for proposals is March 16, 2022.

WHO SHOULD SUBMIT A PROPOSAL:

• Charter School Professionals & Organizations

• Ed Reform Networks & Advocates

• School Service Providers

• School Leaders

• Operations/Finance/Facilities Professionals

• Governance Experts

• Educators/School Support Staff

• Social/Mental Health Professionals, Healthcare Professionals

• Anyone else not mentioned above!

PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS:

We are seeking proposals for the conference categories listed below. Your proposal will be reviewed and selected based on:

1. Clear measurable learning outcomes
2. Description of skills gained
3. Level of interest/need for selected audience

LEADERSHIP & GOVERNANCE

Sessions in this category should examine how school administrators, leaders, and boards are executing best practices, highlighting what is going well, and innovating new approaches. This is an opportunity to forge partnerships with organizations, share ideas about advocacy, discuss how you have overcome challenges during COVID, including learning loss, and how you have met the needs of your community.

MENTAL HEALTH & SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING NEEDS FOR ALL

Sessions in this category should discuss different ways in which charter schools are addressing their student and staff are addressing the social-emotional health and well-being of their students and staff and increase access to education and to maximize success.

SCHOOLWIDE EQUITY PRACTICES

Sessions in this category should provide tips and tools that demonstrate high-quality practices in equity, fostering positive culture and climate in schools, recruiting and retaining teachers of diverse socio-economic backgrounds, supporting student achievement, combating learning loss, and addressing the WHOLE student in the face of  COVID.

OPERATIONS, FINANCE, FUNDRAISING, FACILITIES

We are looking for sessions for operations personnel that will discuss innovative organizational initiatives, system workflows, student recruitment, charter school fundraising, marketing or other specialized topics.

*If you have a topic you would like to propose that is not listed above, please feel free to submit a proposal. 

GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES

We are looking for sessions that are interactive, engaging, and offer best practices. While not required, MAPCS encourages proposals that feature multiple presenters, especially those that represent multiple perspectives and different organizations, schools, and/or institutions.

• SUBMIT your proposal before the DEADLINE, March 16, 2022. We cannot guarantee your session will be scheduled at a particular time, however we will make every effort to accommodate schedules (i.e. teachers).

• All conference proposals will be REVIEWED March 17 through 21, 2022. Notification of selections will be sent to the lead presenter a week later and they will be responsible for sharing the information about conference logistics with their co-presenters. 

• SUBMIT presentation materials, such as PowerPoints and/or handouts by April 6, 2022. Further instructions on how to submit materials will be given after the proposal selection period.

• Most SESSIONS are 30-minutes in length, BUT panel discussion can be up to 45 minutes.

• VIRTUAL SETUP requires all session presenters to have a camera, access to headphones or a microphone for good audio sound, and any additional session materials submitted by April 6, 2022. Last-minute requests will not be honored. Further instructions on how to submit materials will be given after the proposal selection period

• QUESTIONS? – Contact Tiffany Allen at email: t.allen@aeaconsultingfirm.com 

  
  NOTE: Keep in mind that your session title and summary of your presentation will be published online in the conference program. All conference attendees should be able to quickly read your summary of the presentation and clearly understand what they will learn in your session. Avoid using abbreviations, acronyms, and/or references with which attendees might not be familiar.

Public Charter School Awards 

Check Out the “2022 Awards” Tab to See Award Winners

Nominations are now open for the 2022 Maryland Public Charter School Awards. The Maryland Alliance of Public Charter Schools (MAPCS) is excited to award and acknowledge amazing leaders, teachers, community members, and students. This is your opportunity to recognize and celebrate outstanding individuals in our charter school community who exemplify the spirit of innovation, produce outstanding work, and have a commitment to the communities they serve. 

Nominations will be accepted through March 16, 2022.  Awardees will be announced at MAPCS’ Creating Choices, Inspiring Innovation Virtual Conference on Wednesday, May 11th at 4:30 pm.

Awards will be given for the following categories:

1. 2022 Charter School of the Year recognizes a charter school that demonstrates a commitment to its community. They do this through various ways, including (but not limited to) supporting students to achieve their own successes, supporting families in various ways, building beneficial programming and partnerships, and contributing to the innovation of public education. 

2. 2022 Charter School Leader of the Year recognizes a school principal, executive director, or another school administrator who lives and breathes the mission and vision of their school daily. They are innovative, reflective, compassionate, and a brilliant leader. They are able to listen effectively, persevere even when it gets hard, and show genuine care about the well-being and success of staff, students, and their entire school community.   

3. 2022 Charter School Advocate of the Year recognizes an individual or organization that demonstrates a solid and long-term commitment to a specific school and/or the larger charter community. They demonstrate a commitment to protecting charter school autonomies and increasing Marylander’s access to high-quality public education options. Their advocacy for the sector never stops, regardless of their audience. 

4. 2022 Charter School Educator of the Year (includes a $1,500 monetary award) recognizes a dedicated educator that brings excitement to learning, innovates in their classroom, builds effective relationships, and is clearly dedicated to ensuring all students are reaching their own successes. Whether the educator is new or has been doing this work for years, they have made a positive lasting impact on students, families, and the larger school community. Nominees must be currently teaching at a Maryland public charter school.  

5. 2022 Outstanding Charter School Senior ($1,000 scholarship) recognizes two Maryland public charter school seniors who have demonstrated leadership, a commitment to their school, and strong academic records. Nominees must be currently enrolled in a Maryland public charter school,  be eligible to graduate in 2022, and have been accepted at an accredited institution for the 2022-2023 year. *Rubrics will be used to provide guidance on the selection process. The 2022 Outstanding Charter School Senior rubric can be found here.

6. 2022 Outstanding Charter 8th Grader ($500 scholarship) recognizes two Maryland public charter school 8th graders who have demonstrated leadership, a commitment to their school, and strong academic records. Nominees must be currently enrolled in a Maryland public charter school, graduating middle school in 2022, and accepted to and attending a high school for the  2022-2023 school year. *Rubrics will be used to provide guidance on the selection process. The 2022 Outstanding Charter 8th Grader rubric can be found here.

   
   

AWARD SELECTION

Nominations and supporting documentation will be reviewed by the Maryland Alliance Awards Review Committee. Rubrics will be used to provide guidance on the selection process for the student scholarships.

AWARD PROGRAM

Awards will be presented at the virtual conference and a press release will be sent to the nominator to forward to an employer and/or school leadership to use in marketing materials. MAPCS will also share a comprehensive press release with local media, the charter school community, and on our social sites.

QUESTIONS?

Contact Tiffany Allen at email: t.allen@aeaconsultingfirm.com

Thank you to our Sponsors & Exhibitors that made the Maryland Virtual Charter Schools Conference a success. Information about our sponsors and exhibitors can be found on the Maryland Vendor Marketplace.

The Maryland Virtual Charter Schools Conference provides a great opportunity for you to increase your visibility to the growing charter school market and strategically pursue charter school partners and clients. Sponsorship or exhibiting at the conference enables you to do business while doing good for Maryland public school students and schools. The Maryland Alliance of Public Charter Schools connects quality providers with school leaders and decision makers.

Call for Proposals Due: March 16, 2022
Award Nominations Due: March 16, 2022
Presentation Materials Due: April 6, 2022
Last Day to Register to Receive Swag Bag: April 16, 2022
Conference Date: May 11, 2022

Click here to view the agenda.

Check Out the “2022 Awards” Tab to See Award Winners

Charter School of the Year Presented by Archangel Tablets

• Chesapeake Charter School

• Chesapeake Math and IT Academy Elementary

• Empowerment Academy

• Legends Charter School 

• Monocacy Valley Montessori Public Charter School

• Watershed Public Charter School

Charter School Educator of the Year Presented by Charter Schools Development Corporation & EdOps

• Donald Smith, Art Teacher, Coppin Academy

• Gena Proctor, 7th and 8th Grade Team Lead, Southwest Baltimore Charter School

• Joshua Young, 11th Grade AP Teacher, College Park Academy

• Laura Guelcher, Academic Director, Watershed Public Charter School

• Sandra Thompson, 5th Grade Teacher, Creative City Public Charter School

Charter School Leader of the Year Presented by Highmark School Development & Global Teletherapy

• Crystal Harden-Lindsey, Executive Director, Green Street Academy

• Dana Collins, Assistant Principal , Baltimore Leadership School for Young Women

• Dr. Shyla Rao, Principal, City Neighbors Hamilton

• Kim Jakovics, Principal, Monarch Glen Burnie

• Lori Widney, Principal, Watershed Public Charter School

• Mike Chalupa, Executive Director, City Neighbors

• Sidney Brooks, Principal, ConneXions: A Community Based Arts School

• Steven Baker, Middle School Principal, College Park Academy

Charter School Advocate of the Year Presented by Charter School Capital & Association of American Educators

• Allison Rizzo, Frederick County

• Claudia Chang, Anne Arundel & Prince George's Counties

• Mike Chalupa, Baltimore City

• Quiana Dunn-Gordon, Baltimore City

• Sen. Antonio Hayes, State of Maryland (District 40)

Outstanding 8th Grader Award presented by Alpha Graphics & Barton Gilman

• Amaya Sample 

• Elisha Engram

• Everett Sechler

• Paris Alcala

• Zaikiyah Weddington

Outstanding 12th Grader Award Presented by Seawall and Wye River Group

• Alondra Delacruz-Duran

• Danielle Brown

• Mariam Kuyateh

• Tianna Hunt

• Tim Gordon
  

Charter School of the Year

Legends Charter School
Operated by Equity Now, Inc.

"When you look back at all of the amazing charter schools that have done great things in the last eleven years since the last conference, it is hard to nominate just one for this award. But, if you look at just the last year or two, the school that really brought transformation to the entire sector would be Legends and the folks at Equity Now, Inc. From opening their doors during the midst of a pandemic, to now serving almost 700 kids next year, all I can say is WOW. The work is hard, but their team is mission driven, understands the needs of community, supports their fellow operators, fights for equity in all aspects, and volunteers for almost anything the Prince George's County Charter Alliance needs. All this AND producing great results for kids and families!"

Charter School Educator of the Year

Joshua Young
11th Grade AP Teacher
College Park Academy

"Mr. Young has a wonderful rapport with the faculty and students of College Park Academy. He’s extraordinarily talented at connecting with his students and educating in a creative and engaging fashion. His lessons are always engaging and he takes personal interest in all of his students. Mr. Young incorporates the use of technology to help his students be successful. He has excellent communication skills, which is evident when examining his success in creating strong teacher-parent relations or connecting with students who require extra care."

Principal of the Year

Kim Jakovics
Monarch Academy

"Kim Jakovics is the epitome of an inspirational and aspirational leader. During the pandemic she engaged her school community through a predetermined mission and visioning process, after its 10 year charter renewal. She did so, despite enormous pandemic related challenges, faced by all school leaders at the time."

Vice-Principal of the Year

Dana Collins
Baltimore Leadership School for Young Women 

"There is no doubt that the past few years have been tumultuous for everyone in education, but Dana's leadership has been a constant source of calm. When I felt overwhelmed and exhausted, she was available to first listen, and then to help me brainstorm relevant strategies to address my needs and the needs of my classroom."

Executive Director of the Year

Mike Chalupa
City Neighbors Foundation

"Mike's tireless advocacy and support has been invaluable to us as a new school, he is always there to listen, problem solve and advocate not only for his schools, but our schools and all high quality charter schools. We wouldn't have made it without his support and knowledge, and I know we are not alone in that."

Outstanding Charter School 12th Graders of the Year

Danielle Brown
Baltimore Leadership School for Young Women (BLSYW)

"Based on the needs of our school community, Danielle launched our very first BLSYW Sister to Sister Mentoring Program, where Danielle matched many of her twelfth grade sisters to sixth grade students who were struggling in the transition from elementary school to BLSYW. Danielle expanded the program to ensure that her sixth grade sisters had an outlet for weekend activities. Her actions resulted in the establishment of the BLSYW Saturday Service Academy that reinforced the connection between the Big and Little Sisters."

Tianna Hunt
City Neighbors High School

"Tianna is a dynamo who seeks and seizes opportunities to an unparalleled degree. In just this past year, her accomplishments include poetry publications and national spoken word competitions, presidencies of both our National Honor Society and Diversity Club, an editorial board position with Charm (a literary magazine and arts opportunities organization), an advisory role with the district central office’s Bmore Me project, and a fellowship with iCivics (a national nonprofit founded by Sandra Day O’Connor)."

Outstanding Charter School 8th Graders of the Year

Everett Sechler
Frederick Classical Charter School

"In the classroom, she is confident, supports her classmates, and shows attention to detail with a desire to master the material. Despite a heavy academic load, Everett has regularly participated in enrichment offerings and represented her school well, including as a member of the Destination Imagination team (placed 6th at Global Finals in 2020) and Spelling Bee Club. This year, Everett accepted the responsibility to co-lead the operation of the school store."

Zaikiyah Weddington
Monarch Academy Glen Burnie

"Recently, Z approached her teachers about shifting the focus of our curriculum. She believed that Black History Month should be more deeply emphasized in classes and approached her teachers about adjusting student learning during the month of February. After collaborating with her teachers, Z crafted a learning module to emphasize the voices of African American leaders. All 8th grade students engaged in collaborative research and designed a puzzle-piece artistic display to share details from their chosen leader's life and story."

Charter School Advocates of the Year

Legislative Advocate
Senator Antonio Hayes
State of Maryland, District 40

"Not only will you see Senator Hayes out and about in our community, you will also hear him fighting for it in Annapolis. He takes this work seriously and does not give up. Even though we didn't win in 2018/19 when we were fighting for fair facility funding, he was there helping push our work along. Now in 2021/22, he still supports with facility fairness at home in District 40. Without his continued support, we wouldn't have the much needed new building to grow our impact and allow our scholars space to learn. We can't wait to see how.

Baltimore City
Quiana Dunn-Gordon
Parent & Volunteer
KIPP Academy

"She pushes us to make good on the promise that KIPP makes to students and families to create joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students with the skills and confidence to pursue the paths they choose—college, career, and beyond—so they can lead fulfilling lives and build a more just world. The first-ever parent member of KIPP Baltimore's Board of Directors, Ms. Dunn-Gordon was a critical voice for families during the pandemic, also serving on KIPP's Healthy Reopening Committee."

Frederick County
Allison Rizzo
Parent & Volunteer
Frederick Classical Charter School & Monocacy Valley Montessori Charter School

"Allison Rizzo has an impressive gift for depth of comprehension in public policies, procedures, and advocacy strategies of Maryland Charter Schools. She always exudes a passion for charter schools and what their success means for Maryland students. Over the past year, Mrs. Rizzo has publicly educated residents in Frederick County on the successes, struggles and approvals of a Montessori Charter High School and a conversion Environmental Charter School. Her work has made a big difference in those successes, since public turnout and action is ultimately what turns votes." 

Prince George's & Anne Arundel Counties
Claudia Chang
Board Member & Volunteer
Chesapeake Lighthouse Foundation, Inc.

"Mrs. Chang has galvanized parents in support of one of our schools that was slated to close after being open for several years. Like many charter schools connected to the local school system, remaining open can sometimes be a challenge. After the parents, led by Mrs. Chang, wrote letters, spoke at county board meetings, and gathered signatures for a petition to keep the school open, the school was allowed to remain open."