Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 2024- The Pennsylvania Coalition of Public Charter Schools (PCPCS) is proud to announce the recognition of its second graduating class of Emerging Leaders at the State Capitol Rotunda on May 15, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. This ceremony marks the culmination of the Emerging Leaders Fellowship, an initiative aimed at nurturing the next generation of educational leaders within the charter school community.

Dr. Anne Clark, CEO of PCPCS, expressed her admiration for the accomplished young leaders, stating, “The dedication and innovation demonstrated by these Emerging Leaders are truly remarkable. They represent the future of our educational landscape, and I have no doubt they will continue to make a profound impact on the lives of their students and communities.”

Among the distinguished cohort are individuals such as Alycia Booth, Dean of Students at Howard Gardner MI Charter School; Brittany Ortiz, K-3 Curriculum and Instruction Coordinator/teacher at Lincoln Leadership Academy Charter School; and Kevin Sawyer, Data and Assessment Coordinator at Lincoln Leadership Academy Charter School, among others. These leaders have exhibited exceptional commitment and expertise in their respective roles, embodying the values of excellence and service.

Cheryl Johnson Watts, Director of the PACSP Grant provided by the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) to elevate high-quality leadership and charter schools, remarked, “The Emerging Leaders Fellowship exemplifies our commitment to fostering leadership excellence within Pennsylvania’s charter school community. Through initiatives like this, we are empowering educators to drive positive change and unlock the full potential of every student.”

The Emerging Leaders Fellowship Ceremony, scheduled for Wednesday, May 15, will coincide with the final session of the program. Participants will receive their completion certificates during the graduation ceremony, held in the Main Rotunda of the PA State Capitol Complex at 1:00 p.m. Members of the public are invited to join in celebrating the achievements of these emerging leaders.

Leveraging support from Pennsylvania’s Charter Schools Program (PACSP) Grant, this tuition-free fellowship equips participants with the skills and knowledge necessary to provide transformative opportunities for their students and families. The involvement of both charter schools and authorizers in this year’s fellowship underscores the collaborative spirit driving educational innovation across the state.

For those interested in learning more about how the PACSP Grant can support their school’s goals, PCPCS encourages scheduling an information session through the provided link.

For media inquiries or further information, please contact:

Cheryl Johnson Watts

PACSP Grant Project Director

PA Coalition of Public Charter Schools

Email: c.watts@pacharters.org

Phone: (484) 626 – 1170

Join us at 1:00 pm to congratulate our second year of participants!

Alycia Booth

Dean of Students

Howard Gardner MI Charter School

Brittany Ortiz

K-3 Curriculum and Instruction Coordinator/teacher

Lincoln Leadership Academy Charter School

Christina Swiontek

Act 158 Administrator

Achievement House Cyber Charter School

Gerri Light

Chief Academic Officer

Achievement House Cyber Charter School

Jessica Kilmetz

Assistant Superintendent

Phoenixville Area School District

Joyce Fanega

Dean of Students

Maritime Academy Charter School

Kevin Sawyer

Data and Assessment Coordinator

Lincoln Leadership Academy Charter School

Kimberley Bonanni

Director of Specialized Services

Maritime Academy Charter School

Lina Cedeno

Bilingual Coordinator (K-12)

ASPIRA Bilingual Cyber Charter School

Shannon Hawkins

Director of School Culture & Climate

PA STEAM Academy

Vincent Wisniewski

Chief of Staff

Franklin Towne Charter High School