Register for WA Charters 2024 Conference on May 4 at SeaTac, WA!

Photo Release: May 9, 2014

For Immediate Release | May 9, 2014

WA Charter Schools Association’s Inaugural Conference Kicks Off

More than 350 Participants, Teachers and Leaders Gathered to Develop Strong New Public Charter Schools; Seattle Seahawk Russell Okung Gives Keynote

SeaTac, Wash. – The Washington State Charter Schools Association (WA Charters) yesterday launched the inaugural two-day Washington State Charter Schools Association Conference. Themed A World of Opportunities: Putting Washington on the Map, this conference represents the first time WA Charters has brought public charter school champions and founders together since the historic passage of the Washington Charter School Initiative.

More than 350 conference participants gathered to learn best practices for empowering students from all backgrounds, benefiting from the lessons realized by charter schools and other public schools nationwide over the last two decades. Continuing today, participants will hear from national and regional leaders in the charter school movement, including closing keynote speaker Margaret Fortune, president and CEO of Fortune School. A complete overview of the conference’s sessions and activities can be found at: www.wacharters.org/conference.

Photos and captions can be found below:

  1. Seattle Seahawk Russell Okung delivers the keynote address before more than 350 conference participants, parents and teachers at the Washington State Charter Schools Association Conference Thursday. Photo Credit: Contina Kemp.

Russell Okung delivers keynote address_Low Res

  1. WA Charters interim CEO Marta Reyes-Newberry, left, introduce
    s Seattle Seahawk Russell Okung at the Washington State Charter Schools Association Conference Thursday. Photo Credit: Contina Kemp.

 WA Charters interim CEO Marta Reyes-Newberry introduces Seahawks Russell Okung_Low Res

  1. Dr. Don Shalvey of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation gives remarks at the Washington State Charter Schools Association Conference Thursday. Photo Credit: Contina Kemp.

Dr. Don Shalvey of the Gates Foundation gives remarks_Low Res

For high-resolution copies of these photos or more information, please contact David Richey at david@larsonpr.com.

About WA Charters
The Washington State Charter Schools Association (WA Charters) is a statewide nonprofit organization that supports the start-up of high-quality public charter schools, with a focus on serving academically and economically underserved communities. WA Charters focuses on three key areas of support: providing information about charter schools; supporting leaders to grow high-performing public charter schools; and providing support and services to help charter schools operate. To learn more about public charter schools in Washington, please visit: www.wacharters.org. 

###