Keynote Speakers
Howard Fuller, Ph.D.
Tuesday March 6th
Howard Fuller’s career includes many years in both public service positions and the field of education. Dr. Fuller is a Distinguished Professor of Education, and Founder/Director of the Institute for the Transformation of Learning at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The mission of the Institute is to support exemplary education options that transform learning for children, while empowering families, particularly low-income families, to choose the best options for their children.
Immediately before his appointment at Marquette University, Dr. Fuller served as the Superintendent of Milwaukee Public Schools June 1991 – June 1995. Dr. Fuller became nationally known for his unending support for fundamental educational reform.
His prior positions included: Director of the Milwaukee County Department of Health and Human Services 1988 -1991; Dean of General Education at the Milwaukee Area Technical College 1986 – 1988; Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Employment Relations 1983 – 1986; and Associate Director of the Educational Opportunity Program at Marquette University 1979 – 1983. He was also A Senior Fellow with the Annenberg Institute for School Reform at Brown University 1995 – 1997.
Dr. Fuller received his B.S. degree in Sociology from Carroll College in Waukesha, Wisconsin, in 1962; M.S.A. degree in Social Administration from Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1964, and his Ph.D. in Sociological Foundations of Education from Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1986.
He has received numerous awards and recognition over the years, including four Honorary Doctorate Degrees: Doctorate of Humane Letters from Carroll College in 1987; Doctorate of Laws from Marian College, Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin in 1992; Doctorate of Business and Economics from Milwaukee School of Engineering in 1995. Doctorate of Humane Letters from Edgewood College, Edgewood College, Madison WI.
He is the Chair of the Board of Milwaukee Collegiate Academy. He also serves on the Board of The Black Alliance for Educational Options, Milwaukee Region Board of Teach for America, Milwaukee Charter School Advocates and Education Cities. He is an Advisory Board member of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools and the National Association for Charter School Authorizers.
Celebrating 20 Years of Start-Up Charters in Georgia: 1998-2018
Wednesday March 7th
Martha Giddens Nesbit
Georgia’s first charter law allowed only for Conversion Charter Schools. Start-Up Charter schools were enabled by legislation passed in 1998. The movement was spearheaded not by an educator, but a Mother, Food Critic, and incredible cook and author—Martha Nesbit from Savannah Georgia. Her saga took her to the Capitol, then the local school board, and eventually to the foundation of Oglethorpe Charter School, which was the State’s first start-up charter. Nesbit will share with us the trials, tears and terrific results from those efforts in her presentation: “Martha Nesbit’s Recipe for Charter Schools.”
Dr. Tony Roberts
Since 1998, much has happened in Georgia’s Charter movement. For over a decade of that time, Dr. Tony Roberts has served as the President and CEO of Georgia Charter Schools Association, the primary advocate and supporter of charters in Georgia. Tony will present an overview of the milestones, progress and set backs of the past ten years in Georgia’s charter history: “Many Steps Forward, One Big Step Back.”
Dr. Ben Scafidi
The history of charters in Georgia is far from over. Student and parental demand continue to fuel the upward spiral of growth for more charter choice across Georgia. There remain many obstacles and opportunities for charters in Georgia. One of Georgia’s pre-eminent educators and economists with expertise in education and urban policy, Dr. Ben Scafidi, will focus on the future with his presentation: “What Should Georgia Charter School Policy Be in 2020?”