S5 E1 The Power to Decide

S5 E1 The Power to Decide

Season 5 of Bold by Choice begins with a simple but profound truth: governance is ultimately about decision-making. Not the routine decisions reflected in motions, policies, and dashboards, but the difficult decisions that carry real consequences for students, families, communities, and public trust. In this opening episode, hosts Vashaunta Harris and Dr. Jim Goenner launch the season theme, Someone Has to Decide, by exploring the moral weight of board leadership and governance. Through stories, practical frameworks, and candid reflections, they examine what happens when schools face academic struggles, leadership challenges, financial pressures, or difficult renewal decisions—and why avoiding hard conversations can be just as consequential as making the wrong decision. The discussion centers on a familiar governance challenge: a school filled with caring educators, committed families, and passionate leaders that nevertheless continues to struggle academically. Jim and Vashaunta unpack the tension between compassion and accountability, loyalty and stewardship, and explain why strong boards must remain focused on their promises to students rather than their comfort with the status quo. Listeners will hear practical guidance on how boards can approach difficult decisions, including asking better questions, conducting deeper analysis, distinguishing between symptoms and root causes, evaluating leadership capacity, and remaining grounded in mission and values when emotions run high. The episode also explores why governance is fundamentally about stewardship of public trust and why courage often looks less like dramatic action and more like honest inquiry, thoughtful deliberation, and principled decision-making. At its core, this episode is a reminder that governance is not passive. It requires judgment, responsibility, wisdom, and the willingness to make difficult choices when the stakes are highest. Because the promise doesn't prove itself—someone has to decide. Show Notes Season Theme * Someone Has to Decide In This Episode * Why governance is about more than meetings, motions, and compliance * The emotional realities behind difficult board decisions * Stewardship versus loyalty * Public trust and accountability in charter school governance * Identifying root causes behind academic struggles * Leadership capacity and organizational improvement * Asking wise questions and listening with curiosity * Evaluating leaders and setting clear expectations * Governance courage and professional judgment * The responsibility of boards to keep promises made to students and families Boardroom Moment Where might we be protecting comfort instead of confronting reality? And what difficult question needs more courage, honesty, or curiosity at our table right now? Key Takeaway Strong governance is not measured only by moments of success. It is measured by whether boards are willing to make difficult decisions with integrity, humility, courage, and an unwavering focus on student outcomes. Stewardship requires more than support—it requires the willingness to decide. Powered by the National Charter Schools Institute.

S4 E13 Arc Changer

What does it take to change the trajectory of educational opportunity in a city? In this episode of Bold by Choice, hosts Vashaunta Harris and Jim Goenner sit down with Brandon Brown, CEO of The Mind Trust and recipient of the National Charter Schools Institute's Arc Changer Award, presented at the Bold By Choice Summit. Together, they explore what it means to pursue lasting systems change, build coalitions around a shared vision, and remain committed to expanding opportunity for students over the long term. Brandon shares his journey from Teach For America corps member in St. Louis to educational advocate and leader in Indianapolis. Along the way, he discovered that while great teaching can change lives, lasting impact often requires transforming the systems that shape students' opportunities. The conversation examines The Mind Trust's twenty-year commitment to educational innovation, talent development, school incubation, and policy leadership. Brandon reflects on the organization's unwavering North Star: ensuring that students' futures are not determined by their race, income, or ZIP code. Through stories of persistence, coalition building, and courageous leadership, he reveals what it takes to move from bold ideas to meaningful, sustainable change. Listeners will also hear about the challenges that accompany transformative work—from public resistance and political opposition to the personal costs of advocacy—and why trust, credibility, and long-term relationships remain essential ingredients for lasting progress. At its heart, this episode is about more than educational reform. It is about bold persistence—the willingness to stay committed long enough to help bend the arc of opportunity toward something better for future generations. Show Notes In This Episode * Brandon's journey from classroom teacher to systems-level leader * The founding vision and evolution of The Mind Trust * Why educational change requires a long-term perspective * Building coalitions around a shared North Star * School innovation and talent development in Indianapolis * The role of persistence in systems transformation * Navigating resistance and public criticism * Leadership lessons from difficult seasons * Expanding educational opportunity through policy and partnership * What gives hope for the future of education Key Takeaway Changing the arc of education requires more than bold ideas. It requires courage, endurance, trust, and a relentless commitment to creating opportunities that may take years to fully emerge. The Mind Trust's story demonstrates how sustained leadership and community partnership can expand what is possible for students, families, and entire cities. Powered by the National Charter Schools Institute.

S4 E12 Pathways to Possibility

What happens when students don't just learn about careers—they live them? In this episode of Bold by Choice, hosts Vashaunta Harris and Jim Goenner sit down with Nicole Gasper, CEO of West Michigan Aviation Academy, recipient of the National Charter Schools Institute's inaugural Pathways to Opportunity Award. Located on the grounds of the Gerald R. Ford International Airport, West Michigan Aviation Academy has reimagined what career-connected learning can look like. Students aren't simply studying aviation, engineering, robotics, or biomedical sciences—they're immersed in authentic experiences that connect learning to purpose, possibility, and future opportunity. Nicole shares her own unexpected journey to the academy, the vision that inspired founder Dick DeVos to create a public charter school centered on aviation and access, and how a culture of professionalism, belonging, and high expectations has become the school's defining characteristic. From earning pilot licenses and drone certifications to building aircraft, exploring biomedical sciences, and partnering with industry leaders, students experience learning in ways that make future careers feel real and attainable. The conversation also highlights inspiring alumni stories—from commercial airline pilots to university researchers—and explores how purpose-driven learning helps students discover who they can become. At its core, this episode is about more than aviation. It's about helping young people see possibilities for their future and creating pathways that turn dreams into destinations. Show Notes In This Episode * The founding vision behind West Michigan Aviation Academy * Why career-connected learning changes student outcomes * Learning on an active airport campus * Aviation, engineering, robotics, and biomedical science pathways * Student pilot training and FAA certifications * Industry partnerships that make learning real * Alumni success stories and workforce connections * Building a culture of professionalism, purpose, and belonging * Why pathways are ultimately about possibility Key Takeaway When students can connect learning to purpose, opportunity, and identity, they don't just prepare for the future—they begin building it today. West Michigan Aviation Academy demonstrates how powerful education can be when young people are trusted with real responsibility, meaningful experiences, and a vision for what is possible. Powered by the National Charter Schools Institute.

S4 E11 Stewards of Possibility

What does it mean to lead with both accountability and trust? In this episode of Bold by Choice, hosts Vashaunta Harris and Jim Goenner sit down with Terry Croy Lewis, Executive Director of the Colorado Charter School Institute (CSI) and recipient of the 2026 Stewards of Possibility Award. Terry’s journey began as a charter school mom in the 1990s — a parent searching for a school where her child could truly thrive. What followed became a decades-long commitment to creating opportunities for students, families, and communities through courageous leadership, innovative school design, and deep relationships. Together, the conversation explores how CSI has redefined authorizing — not as compliance alone, but as a balance of accountability, support, trust, and possibility. Terry shares stories about launching schools that challenged assumptions, including schools serving students on the autism spectrum, outdoor learning models in the Colorado mountains, and charter schools on tribal land. The episode also dives into leadership development, why listening matters more than ever, and how curiosity and humility help organizations continue evolving to meet the needs of students. Because stewardship isn’t about protecting systems. It’s about protecting possibility. Show Notes In This Episode: * The origins of CSI and Terry’s charter school journey * Why parental voice matters in public education * Accountability and support in authorizing * Building trust with school leaders and communities * Innovation in charter school models * Outdoor schools, tribal schools, and neurodiverse learning communities * Leadership development and organizational culture * Why curiosity is essential for the future of education * The meaning behind the Stewards of Possibility Award Key Takeaway: Fear may produce compliance — but trust produces improvement. Great leadership creates the conditions where innovation, relationships, and student success can thrive together.

S4 E10 Catalyst for Change

What does it take to build an education movement that actually lasts? In this episode of Bold by Choice, hosts Vashaunta Harris and Jim Goenner sit down with Terry Ryan of Bluum, recipient of the 2026 Bold by Choice Catalyst Award, to explore how leadership, talent, and shared values can transform educational opportunity across an entire state. From teaching in post-Communist Poland to helping launch one of the nation’s most influential charter school ecosystems in Idaho, Terry shares the unexpected journey that shaped his belief in innovation, community, and courageous leadership. The conversation dives into Bluum’s bold vision to create 20,000 new school seats in 10 years, the launch of the Idaho New School Fellowship, the power of investing in people first, and why rural communities deserve innovative learning models designed around their unique needs. Together, they explore the difference between leadership and management, why movements matter more than sectors, and how catalysts create momentum by bringing people together around possibility. Because real change doesn’t happen by accident. Somebody has to choose to build it. Show Notes In This Episode: * The story behind Bluum and Idaho’s charter school growth * Why talent and leadership matter more than perfect plans * Building rural and remote learning models * The Idaho New School Fellowship * Leadership vs. management * Why movements begin with vision * How charter schools create space for innovation * The role of values in long-term educational change * What it means to be a “Catalyst” in education Key Takeaway: Catalysts don’t just spark ideas — they create momentum, build partnerships, and help communities imagine what’s possible for students.