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Rekha’s Story
By Rekha Bhatt, Co-President, Innovative Schools Each fall, as a new school year kicks off, I reflect on my own experience with schooling and what drives me in this work. This year, I am entering my 16th year in education. I started my professional career in education with Teach for America serving as an English … Read More
Graduate Spotlight: Kenadie Mullen and Corbin Mead, Lumen High School, Spokane
Kenadie Mullen and Corbin Mead share two top priorities. The first is their son, Rowan. The second is graduating with a high school diploma. A couple of years ago, neither Kenadie nor Corbin thought high school graduation was in their future. They both dropped out of school to work supporting a newborn. But Lumen High … Read More
Senior Spotlight: Ashly Lopez Escober, Summit Atlas, West Seattle
Ashly Lopez Escober moved to the United States from Honduras just six years ago. Becoming a founding student at a high school and creating a culture of collaboration for future students wasn’t part of her plan. As she prepares to study biochemistry at the University of Washington, that’s exactly what she’s accomplished. With a fierce … Read More
Senior Spotlight: Esther Mumbi, Summit Atlas, West Seattle
While COVID-19 brought an unexpected change to her senior year, Summit Atlas senior Esther Mumbi took the shift to virtual school in stride. In fact, this last year has only strengthened Esther’s drive to enter the healthcare field and work towards ending what she recognizes as another pandemic — social and economic inequality. Next year, … Read More
Senior Spotlight: Jayla Foster, Summit Atlas, West Seattle
Jayla Foster had a tough start to high school, attending three different schools and ultimately repeating her sophomore year. When she reached Summit Atlas, a new public charter school in its second year, Jayla found her stride. Embraced by a supportive school community, she uncovered her passion and voice as a student leader, ultimately becoming … Read More
Senior Spotlight: Elizabeth Chase, Innovation High School (PRIDE), Spokane
Finding Community at Innovation Who says math and the humanities don’t mix? Not Elizabeth Chase. Her love for art, people, and math blends seamlessly through her high school career and into her future ambitions. Elizabeth is graduating from Innovation High School, a charter public school within the PRIDE public schools in Spokane. At Innovation, Elizabeth … Read More
Senior Spotlight: Amari Troutt, Innovation High School (PRIDE), Spokane
If Amari Troutt could impart one piece of wisdom to younger scholars at PRIDE Schools, it would be to take advantage of all the opportunities afforded to them. Amari is graduating this spring from Innovation High School, part of the PRIDE charter public schools in Spokane. She started her journey in the charter public schools … Read More
Game Changers Suzet and Tiara: Demonstrating School Values in Every Lesson
Spokane International Academy (SIA), a charter public school in Spokane, promotes a global, values-centered education in its elementary and middle school programs. Suzet Teodoro and Tiara Pschaida, are delivering this vision with passion and fun for their scholars every day. Suzet teaches fourth grade and Tiara teaches Spanish for SIA’s third, fourth, and fifth grades. … Read More
How Dustin Dacuan is making college more accessible
As the Regional Director of College Readiness for Summit Public Schools in Washington, Dustin Dacuan is focused on creating a supportive system that allows students to adopt a college-ready mindset. For Summit Public Schools, there is the unwavering belief that scholars can achieve their dreams and succeed in college and beyond. Summit scholars enter school … Read More
Meet Jimena and Kamaria: Summit Sierra’s Game-Changing Alumnae
Jimena Talamantes ‘20 and Kamaria Lyles ‘19 were first attracted to Summit Sierra, a Washington charter public high school, because of its strong commitment to preparing scholars for college and life. Today, they have chosen different career interests and schools on the opposite sides of the country. Yet, they share a passion for building a … Read More