Episode 4 - Empowering Education: A Journey of School Choice and Advocacy With Medical Momma Erica Hunt | Education Matters With MySchoolOptions Podcast

Episode 0 - Introducing Education Matters Powered by MySchoolOptions: Education Matters is a podcast that explores the journey of Indiana's families in making school choice decisions. The podcast covers the landscape of K-12 education in Indiana and aims to give a voice to innovative school leaders, parents, and stakeholders in the school choice community. In this intro episode, join cohosts Sarah Milligan and Cesar Roman as they introduce the Institute for Quality Education (IQE) and My School Options (MSO) as organizations dedicated to empowering families and advocating for quality education in Indiana. The podcast will feature stories from parents, community builders, policymakers, and educators, providing insights into the impact of school choice on children's education. by Education Matters With MySchoolOptions

18 min listen

Episode 1 - The Struggles Kids Face with IQE Lobbyist Molly Collins: This episode of Education Matters explores the landscape of public education in Indiana. Education Matters Co-host Sarah Milligan is joined by the Institute for Quality Education’s lobbyist Molly Collins, discussing the historical evolution of education in the state, from its agrarian roots through the industrial revolution to the present-day information age. The two spend time highlighting the importance of literacy in education and the challenges faced by vulnerable student populations. Molly and Sarah then examine graduation rates and iLearn scores, and what they mean as measures of student achievement. The episode concludes with Molly and Sarah discussing the existing barriers to educational freedom and the need for universal school choice. by Education Matters With MySchoolOptions

23 min listen

Episode 2 - Empowering Education: The School Choice Journey with Mary Eaker and the Evolution of IQE's SGO Program: Mary Eaker, the executive director of the Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO) program at IQE, shares her school choice journey and the evolution of the SGO program. She discusses the impact of school choice on students and families, as well as the challenges and misconceptions surrounding the concept. Mary emphasizes the importance of equitable access to quality education and the role of advocacy in achieving this goal. She also highlights the community-building aspect of the SGO program and the dedication of donors to supporting education options for students. Mary's passion and motivation stem from witnessing the success stories of students who have benefited from school choice. In this conversation, Mary and Sarah discuss the Indiana Tax Credit Scholarship Program and the role of Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs) in providing scholarships to students. They by Education Matters With MySchoolOptions

35 min listen

Episode 9 - The Impact of Non-Public Schools in Indiana: John Elcesser, the executive director of Indiana Non-Public Education Association (INPEA), discusses his background in non-public education and the importance of school choice advocacy. He highlights the impact of non-public schools in Indiana and the need for diverse educational options. Elcesser emphasizes the role of advocacy in protecting and expanding school choice programs, and the importance of grassroots support. He shares his favorite moments of successful advocacy efforts and the growth of enrollment in non-public schools. Elcesser also looks ahead to the goal of universal school choice in Indiana by 2025. The future of school choice is moving towards universal access, with the goal of providing choice to all families. However, there is a concern about regulatory creep, where more regulations are being imposed on non-public and choice schools, dampening their excitement. Advocacy is crucial to ensure the expansion of sc by Education Matters With MySchoolOptions

51 min listen

Episode 3 - The Power of Education: A Conversation with Betsy J. Wiley, CEO of the Institute for Quality Education: Betsy J. Wiley, President and CEO of the Institute for Quality Education, discusses her background, community involvement, and the challenges and solutions facing kids and families today in K-12 education. She highlights the importance of community engagement in education and the need for a focus on literacy and numeracy. Betsy also discusses the initiatives and programs undertaken by the Institute for Quality Education to improve education in Indiana. She emphasizes the importance of empowering families and providing them with educational choices. Wiley shares her personal journey and insights, as well as her experience in political engagement and leadership in education advocacy. by Education Matters With MySchoolOptions

54 min listen

Episode 5 - Choice + Charters: All About Charter Schools With Indiana Charter School Network Executive Director Marcie Brown Carter: Sarah is joined by Marcie Brown Carter, Executive Director of the Indiana Charter School Network, who shares her personal background and journey in education. She discusses her experience working with Governor Mitch Daniels and Dr. Tony Bennett, highlighting the accomplishments and challenges they faced in education policy over the course of her tenure. Marcie explains the role of the Indiana Charter School Network in supporting charter schools and advocating for school choice. She addresses misconceptions about charter schools and emphasizes their status as public schools. Marcie also shares insights for individuals aspiring to make an impact in education, encouraging them to start with their family and local community. Marcie discusses the importance of getting involved in your local community and paying attention to school board members and local legis by Education Matters With MySchoolOptions

41 min listen

Episode 4 - Empowering Education: A Journey of School Choice and Advocacy With Medical Momma Erica Hunt: In this conversation, School Choice parent advocate and medical momma Erica Hunt shares her family's journey in finding the right educational environment for their daughter Ella, who has special needs. They initially explored private school for a faith-based education but faced challenges as Ella's needs became more complex, resulting in the difficult decision to transition to homeschooling and, later, discovering the ESA program, which provided them with the flexibility and customization they needed. The ESA program has empowered Ella to learn at her own pace and pursue her interests. Erica advocates for expanding school choice options to meet the unique needs of every Hoosier child. by Education Matters With MySchoolOptions

45 min listen

Episode 6 - “The Beacon Of Opportunity For Northwest Indiana” With Bishop Knoll Principal Lorenza Jara Pastrick: Sarah is joined by Lorenza Jara Pastrick, Principal of the Bishop Knoll Institute, who shares her personal background and journey through education to end up as principal of her alma mater, the Bishop Knoll Institute. She discusses her experiences and the immense personal and professional rewards she has received by shepherding so many children in the region through their Catholic education journeys. Principal Pastrick covers the emergence of AI and coaching her students through booms in technological advancements in the tools available to kids with innovation coaches, breaks down how her STEM labs work differently than legacy schooling, and cover how this is all made possible by the advancement of school choice over the course of her career from a young teacher to now a school principal. by Education Matters With MySchoolOptions

54 min listen

Episode 8 - Education Matters News Roundup: Microschools, School Choice Expansions, And More: Sarah and returning guest Molly from IQE cover all the news that’s fit to print about school choice around Indiana and the nation in this first news roundup segment! The two discuss the landscape of school choice in Indiana and the importance of policy and grassroots efforts in advancing school choice initiatives. They highlight the collaboration between policy and grassroots teams in achieving school choice expansions in the state. They also discuss the increasing attention and discussions around school choice in recent years, as well as the role of Indiana in paving the way for other states. The conversation touches on the legislative process and the challenges of navigating different perspectives within the Republican Party. They also explore the cost savings of school choice programs and the positive outcomes of voucher programs in Indiana. Finally, they mention articles that discuss th by Education Matters With MySchoolOptions

45 min listen

Episode 7 - A Homeschooling Journey in Education with Parent + Educator Monique Love: Cesar is joined by Monique Love, a mother of four and an educator specializing in reading, who shares her unique perspective on education. She discusses her journey from being a public school teacher to becoming a homeschooling parent. Monique's decision to homeschool was influenced by her experiences in the school system and her desire to provide the best education for her children. She also talks about her involvement in evaluating charter schools and the challenges of ongoing evaluation. In this conversation, Monique Love discusses various aspects of education, including evaluation and coaching practices, what makes a great school, the importance of credible teachers, special education practices, and the need to pay teachers adequately. She emphasizes the role of advocacy and the importance of choices in education. Monique also shares her experience in finding school options and highlights the need by Education Matters With MySchoolOptions

45 min listen

Episode 11 - Building the 'West Virginia Miracle' through Education Freedom Challenges and Growing Pains of ESA Programs: Garrett Ballengee from the Cardinal Institute discusses education reform and school choice in West Virginia. The state has a high poverty rate and a struggling education system. The Cardinal Institute aims to build the 'West Virginia miracle' through four pillars: education freedom, economic freedom, workforce freedom, and a culture of freedom. They have been successful in passing comprehensive school choice programs, including public charter school laws and the expansive HOPE Scholarship ESA program. The ESA program has had a positive impact on parents and students, with increased enrollment in private schools and the ability to customize education experiences. The conversation explores the impact of school choice and education innovation, specifically focusing on West Virginia's ESA program. Sarah and Garrett discuss the benefits of school choice for students, fam by Education Matters With MySchoolOptions

64 min listen

Episode 13 - The Common Thread Among All Parents: Love Of Our Children: In this enlightening episode of "Education Matters with MySchoolOptions," Adam O'Doherty, the President and CEO of the United Way of Northwest Indiana, delves into his personal journey, career path, and the impactful initiatives led by his organization. Focusing on education and the transformative power of school choice, Adam discusses the significant challenges and opportunities within the Northwest Indiana community. by Education Matters With MySchoolOptions

51 min listen

Episode 10 - Exploring The Partnership Between Boys and Girls Club and Career Academy Network of Public Schools For Charter School Week: In honor of Charter School Week, Education Matters with MySchoolOptions is bringing you this conversation with host Cesar Roman and guests Jacqueline Cronk, CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of St. Joseph County, and Jeremy Lugbill, Superintendent for Career and Success Academy Network of Public Schools in South Bend, Indiana. The conversation explores the partnership between the Boys and Girls Club and Career Academy Network of Public Schools on a new Charter School in South Bend, Indiana. The main themes include enhancing the educational experience, creating a teacher pipeline, providing access to different opportunities, and making learning relevant and impactful. The partnership aims to prepare students for the future by offering project-based learning, interdisciplinary connections, and real-world experiences. The Boys and Girls Club aims to inspir by Education Matters With MySchoolOptions

52 min listen

Episode 12 - The Common Thread Among All Parents: Love Of Our Children: Education Matters with MySchoolOptions host Cesar Roman is joined in this episode by Inga Shannon, a judge at the Gary City Court and founder of the non-profit Project Rebuild Foundation. Inga discusses her work in the community and the importance of advocacy for school choice. She shares a heartwarming story of a young woman whose life was transformed through the drug court program and the love of our children that is common among us all, regardless of station - and how educational choice and education options are key to the success of our children. Inga also explains the focus of her non-profit, which is truancy termination and prevention. She highlights the various reasons why kids are not attending school, such as bullying, undiagnosed special needs, and falling behind due to COVID. Inga emphasizes the need for family support and the importance of advocating for children's education, especially for those with s by Education Matters With MySchoolOptions

34 min listen

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Episode 4 - Empowering Education: A Journey of School Choice and Advocacy With Medical Momma Erica Hunt

Episode 4 - Empowering Education: A Journey of School Choice and Advocacy With Medical Momma Erica Hunt

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