Charter Connect Magazine - August 2026

A Strong Start Begins With Purpose

There is something special about the beginning of a new school year.

Classrooms come alive again. Teachers prepare lessons and learn new names. School leaders welcome returning families and introduce new programs. Parents adjust routines, ask questions, and help their children prepare for everything the year may bring.

This issue of Charter Connect celebrates the people, partnerships, and possibilities that make those new beginnings meaningful.

We begin by recognizing Alabama’s charter school teachers. In “Why Alabama Charter School Teachers Still Teach,” David T. Marshall and Tim Pressley remind us that, even amid growing demands, teachers continue showing up because they believe knowledge matters, children matter, and communities matter. Their commitment is not simply to a profession. It is to the students whose futures are being shaped in their classrooms every day.

That same sense of purpose can be seen in the goals shared by charter school leaders across Alabama. They are preparing for growth, strengthening academic programs, creating new family engagement opportunities, and building school cultures where students feel known, challenged, and supported. While their plans may look different, each leader is focused on helping students grow academically, personally, and socially.

This issue also highlights what is possible when schools make learning both rigorous and engaging. Through Summer Boost, students at Legacy Prep strengthened their math and reading skills while exploring drama, music, dance, and content creation. The results are encouraging, but the story behind the numbers is even more powerful. Students wanted to attend. They developed greater confidence. They returned to school better prepared to learn.

Families also play an essential role in creating a successful school year. In “The First Month of School Matters,” I share four questions parents can ask early to better understand how their children are adjusting, what skills need reinforcement, what success should look like, and how they can support the classroom. Strong family engagement does not always require a formal meeting. Sometimes it begins with one thoughtful question.

You will also meet Christy Mead, whose 28 years of experience in school finance demonstrate how integrity, accountability, and wise stewardship help schools serve students well. We recognize Representative Terri Collins as the newly elected Chair of the Alabama Public Charter School Commission, welcome Dr. Yolanda Page to the NSFA Board, and provide updates on policies, funding, assessments, and other decisions affecting public education across Alabama.

As you read this issue, I hope you see more than programs, policies, and plans. I hope you see people who believe deeply in Alabama’s students.

Here’s to a strong beginning, meaningful partnerships, and a school year filled with growth.

Download the August issue of Charter Connect Magazine below to explore these stories and more! Be sure to sign up for our email list HERE to stay connected with the latest in Alabama’s charter school movement.

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