Skip to content
Florida Charter Institute
  • ABOUT FCI
    • About FCI
    • Our Team
    • FCI Connect
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Contact Us
  • EDUCATE
    • FCInsights
    • Workshops
    • Consulting
  • SUPPORT
    • Professional Trainings
      • Webinars
      • Podcasts
      • Newsletters
      • Meetings
      • Conferences
    • Services For Schools​
      • Planning & Launching
      • Governance Board Program
      • School Operations
      • Professional Learning
      • Support & Consultations
      • Facilities Planning
    • Library
  • AUTHORIZE
    • Application Process
  • RESEARCH
  • CALENDAR
  • ABOUT FCI
    • About FCI
    • Our Team
    • FCI Connect
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Contact Us
  • EDUCATE
    • FCInsights
    • Workshops
    • Consulting
  • SUPPORT
    • Professional Trainings
      • Webinars
      • Podcasts
      • Newsletters
      • Meetings
      • Conferences
    • Services For Schools​
      • Planning & Launching
      • Governance Board Program
      • School Operations
      • Professional Learning
      • Support & Consultations
      • Facilities Planning
    • Library
  • AUTHORIZE
    • Application Process
  • RESEARCH
  • CALENDAR

FCI’s Educational Leader Recommended Summer Reading List

May 15, 2025 No Comments

Another way to “Sharpen your Iron” this summer is by reading a great book that informs your practice. Here are some summer recommendations from Florida Charter Institute.  Good to Great, Jim Collins  Built to Last, the defining management study of the ’90s, showed how great companies triumph over time and how long-term sustained performance can be engineered into the DNA of an enterprise from the very beginning. Measure What Matters, John Doerr Legendary venture capitalist John Doerr reveals how the goal-setting system of Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) has helped tech giants from Intel to Google achieve explosive growth—and how it can help any organization thrive. Teach Like a Champion 3.0, Doug Lemov Teach Like a Champion 3.0 is the long-awaited update to Doug Lemov’s highly regarded guide to the craft of teaching. This book teaches you how to create a positive and productive classroom that encourages student engagement, trust, respect, accountability, and excellence. Why Don’t Students Like School?: A Cognitive Scientist Answers Questions About How the Mind Works and What It Means for the Classroom, Daniel T. Willingham In this new edition of the highly regarded Why Don’t Students Like School? cognitive psychologist Daniel Willingham turns his research on

Read More »

Distinguished Fellow Spotlight – May

May 9, 2025 No Comments

Dr. Judith Moore – School Leader, Sunlake Academy of Math and Sciences The goal of FCI’s Distinguished Fellows program, part of FCI EDUCATE, is to build a community of exceptional leaders across Florida who, via clinically proven, research-backed development, continue to elevate the bar for instructional leadership in the state and nationally. During the Fellowship year, Fellows engage in robust development spanning a variety of aspects of Instructional leadership. Take an opportunity to meet a member of our FCI Distinguished Fellowship. Meet Distinguished Fellow,Dr. Judith Moore, who is the School Leader at Sunlake Academy of Math and Sciences. Dr. Moore has a strong focus on student growth both academically and developmentally. She believes in the vital importance of parent and community involvement, continuous performance improvement, and the establishment of a strong, positive school culture that values kindness, high-expectations, and excellence every day. During her time in the Distinguished Fellows Program, Dr. Moore has appreciated how the sessions were organized and the depth of instructional content that she was able to access. Content that she can leverage to better her own community. FCI’s EDUCATE division is dedicated to enhancing educational practices within charter schools. Our comprehensive initiatives aim to foster an

Read More »

FCI Staff Spotlight – Angela Taveraz

May 9, 2025 No Comments

Angela Taveraz – Administrative AssistantWhen did you become interested in Charter Schools?I had no previous experience in charter schools. You can say my connection to charter schools was by chance. My supervisor was selected to oversee the Florida Charter Institute at Miami Dade College, and of course, I was assisting my supervisor. What got me at the end was the passion of the team, and I am learning a lot from them. How would you best describe your current role at FCI?I provide support to the four pillars of Florida Charter Institute. Additionally I bridge the necessary gaps between Miami Dade College and FL Charter Institute as the partnership grows and flourishes. What motivates you most in your work with charter schools, and what keeps you passionate about this field?I think what motivates me the most is the possibility for the young people being served by the schools we support. There’s so much to do and that can be done to support charter schools. What keeps me passionate? Firstly, my colleagues. Seeing their passion for what they do motivates me. Secondly, the school children who really need people who care, manage their education. Can you share an experience or initiative

Read More »

Finishing Strong: Strategies for Reflecting, Renewing, and Recharging for the Year Ahead

May 9, 2025 No Comments

The end of the school year is a significant transition in the life of an educator. It unfolds in three important phases: a close, a rest period, and a new beginning. When approached with intentionality, each phase becomes an opportunity for reflection, growth, and rejuvenation—ultimately strengthening your professional journey from one year to the next. As we near the final days of the school year, it’s the perfect time to look back on how far we’ve come and thoughtfully prepare for what lies ahead. Whether you’re hoping to finish strong, recharge over the summer, or refine your teaching craft for the upcoming year, Florida Charter Institute is here to support your transition from the 2024–2025 school year to 2025–2026. With research-backed practices, practical strategies, and inspirational insights, this guide is designed to help you close the year with intention and begin the next with renewed purpose. Finishing the Year Strong You’ve invested too much effort this year for it to end in a simple countdown. Honor the experiences and growth of everyone in your classroom to elevate the learning journey. Here’s how: Maintain High EngagementKeep students invested through the final bell. Plan hands-on, project-based activities that connect to real life—like

Read More »

Testing

April 20, 2025 No Comments

34256 I want to be able to add a webinar in the post. And then continue to add text around it. So theoretically I could also make one smaller and use text to go around it. I want a bunch of text to be here on the right side of the webinar so that I can add webinar to the other side of the page

Read More »

Governance Conference 2025

April 9, 2025 No Comments

We’re excited to announce the upcoming FL Charter School Governance Conference!  This is an invaluable opportunity for charter school leaders, board members, and education advocates to engage in thought-provoking discussions, share best practices, and deepen our impact on student success. 📅 Date: Saturday, September 6, 2025📍 Location: Kiran C. Patel High School, Tampa, FL Stay tuned for more details—looking forward to connecting with you all!

Read More »

Motivating Students During Testing Season

March 31, 2025 No Comments

Student emotional intelligence and self-awareness can be a challenge when testing their knowledge. Their self-confidence can be impacted by external factors that have nothing to do with the actual content they are being tested on. As a result, the test scores are not aligned with the students’ level of knowledge. As educators, there are ways that we can motivate students and help them build their self-confidence going into the testing season. See some suggested strategies below.  Motivational Strategies   Wellness and Stress-Reduction Strategies   Test-Taking Strategies   Testing Integrity Strategies   A safe, well-fed, calm, mentally prepared student will be able to focus on the task at hand. We are hopeful the strategies we are sharing will support you in guiding your students to success.   

Read More »

Testing Integrity – FDOE Regulations and Procedures

March 31, 2025 No Comments

Your community has worked hard all year. Staff have planned and executed effective teaching, students have studied and grown, and parents have motivated their students to keep on moving forward. They complete the statewide assessments; everyone feels great and then you are notified that the scores are invalidated. What a nightmare?!? In the best-case scenario, you minimize the impact by identifying the discrepancy, appealing and attempting to minimize the amount of score invalidated. Worst case scenario, you lose a year of hard work and progress and the belief in the leadership of your administrative team is compromised. It is not a great place to be. “I didn’t know” is not appropriate as an appropriate response to this scenario.  School administrators are responsible for knowing this information. With testing season currently underway, Florida Charter Institute wanted to make the information available to ensure that your school does not end up being a case study in test integrity.  Ensuring the integrity of assessments is a critical priority for the Florida Department of Education (FDOE). To uphold the validity and reliability of test results, the FDOE has established comprehensive regulations and procedures governing test security. Florida Test Security Statute (Section 1008.24, Florida Statutes)

Read More »

Teach Like A Champion – Professional Learning Opportunities

March 31, 2025 No Comments

FCI Educate is always looking to provide opportunities to help the educators of Florida charter schools to sharpen their teaching skills. FCI has partnered with Teach Like a Champion to bring you top of the line research backed instructional practices training. Learn more about these opportunities and register to attend. See Details below. Orlando Building Strong Classroom Culture Orlando – Tuesday July 29th, 2025 This practice-intensive workshop will focus on establishing high-impact behavioral and culture techniques that enable joy and academic achievement. Click Here to Register    High Ration Instruction  Orlando – Wednesday and Thursday  July 30-31, 2025 In this practice-heavy workshop, participants will learn the keys to maximizing who is participating, how much, and to what extent. Click Here to Register    Time: 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (with registration and breakfast from 7:30-8:30 a.m. each day) Location: UCP of Central Florida (Orlando) – 4780 Data Court, Orlando, FL 32817. Free parking will be provided. Cost: $150/ day (typically $500+/day) **Inservice Points: Participants will receive in-service points for completion of the workshop. Please bring your FDOE License number with you to registration.   Miami Building Strong Classroom Culture Tuesday July 29th, 2025 This practice-intensive workshop will focus on establishing

Read More »

FCI Staff Spotlight – Thibaut Delloue

March 28, 2025 No Comments

FCI – Policy Fellow When did you become interested in Charter Schools?I started my career as an ESOL teacher both abroad and in the Boston area. When I decided to reenter education after serving for five years in the Navy, I used my GI Bill to complete a graduate degree in education policy and leadership. During that time I got an internship working under Chris Ruszkowski, who had been the Secretary of Education in New Mexico and is a longtime promoter of school choice. I became interested in charter schools because I wanted to learn from more independent and innovative education models that were better serving the needs of kids. The experience led me to my first school leadership position as an Assistant Principal of Operations at a charter school in Nashville, TN. How would you best describe your current role at FCI?I’ve taken on a brand new role as FCI’s Policy Fellow. My goal is to research and write about the success of charter schools in the state and issues facing charter schools. I am also able to learn from and work alongside my colleagues in other areas of our organization, like school authorization and training. What motivates you

Read More »
Page1 Page2 Page3
  • Educate
  • FCI Support
  • Research
  • Authorize
  • Educate
  • FCI Support
  • Research
  • Authorize
  • Calendar
  • Meet the Team
  • FAQs
  • Contact Us
  • Calendar
  • Meet the Team
  • FAQs
  • Contact Us

Subscribe to FCI's Newsletter

Enter your email to join our general mailing list, or click here to select which lists(s) you would like to sign up for.

Select list(s) to subscribe to


By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: Florida Charter Institute. You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact

Follow us on social media.

Linkedin-in Facebook-f Instagram X-twitter

The Florida Institute for Charter School Innovation [FCI] is powered by Miami Dade College. Miami Dade College is an equal access/equal opportunity institution which does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, marital status, age, religion, national origin, disability, veteran’s status, ethnicity, pregnancy, sexual orientation or genetic information.o obtain more information about the College’s equal access and equal opportunity policies, procedures and practices, please contact the College’s Equity Officer:

Cindy Lau Evans, Director, Office of Equal Opportunity Programs/ADA Coordinator/Title IX Coordinator, (305) 237-2577 (Voice) or 711 (Relay Service).11011 SW 104 St., Room 1102-01; Miami, FL 33176. EquityOff@mdc.edu

2024 Florida Charter Institute powered by Miami Dade College