2024 Changemaker Awards
We are thrilled to honor seven remarkable 2024 Changemakers whose indelible contributions have reverberated across their communities and beyond. Among our distinguished cohort of advocates are dedicated educators, impassioned parents, and rising leaders within the charter school landscape.
These seven individuals are unique in their communities, but together, are representative advocates for public education and for creating more high-quality public education options for families.
Join us in celebrating our 2024 Changemakers!
Executive Director
Ricardo Flores Magon Academy
Denver, CO
Zak is executive director at Ricardo Flores Magon Academy and an experienced elementary and secondary school administrator. As a turnaround school, Zak uses his platform to advocate for his community, in anything they need. He has hosted many legislators and policymakers at his school, educating them on how the school serves mostly multilingual students, students of color, and students who recently moved to this country. He is leading a new school advisory council to engage and empower parents on how to be more involved in advocacy initiatives. Zak is a member of the Colorado League of Charter Schools Ambassadors Cohort and Legislative Liaison Program. He is pursuing his Doctorate in Education Leadership and Policy from the University of Northern Colorado.
Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Hmong American Peace Academy
Milwaukee, WI
Dr. Chris Her-Xiong is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Hmong American Peace Academy and treasurer of the Wisconsin Charter School Association. Dr. Her-Xiong has shaped education and inspired Hmong children in Milwaukee over her 30 years with Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS), as a teacher, principal, and now executive director of the Hmong American Peace Academy. When she was hired by MPS in 1990, she was its first Hmong bilingual teacher. She watched as her Hmong students faced the same identity crisis that she had gone through and that fueled her advocacy efforts to provide them a place to be able to embrace their culture, while also having many choices in life. This is what led her to create the Hmong American Peace Academy, an MPS charter school and the first Hmong charter school in Wisconsin. It celebrates Hmong heritage, rigorous academics, and a community peace program. Dr. Her-Xiong has been honored by the Greater Milwaukee Foundation for her inspirational leadership and was a Milwaukee Business Journal 2016 Woman of Influence. She is a member of Gov. Tony Evers’ Personnel Advisory Council to help refer potential candidates for key state positions.
Student
Cottonwood Classical Preparatory
Albuquerque, NM
High school senior Daniyal Hussain is a remarkable advocate who started an advocacy club at his school as a graduate of the Rising Leaders Initiative Class of 2022-23. Daniyal has successfully advocated for important bills in the New Mexico State Legislature and presented at 50CAN New Mexico on a student panel as part of the program. His advocacy even helped secure funding for IB testing in New Mexico. Daniyal’s ambitions extend to college, where he plans to study political science and public policy, become a legislator, and continue his advocacy efforts for causes he is passionate about.
Former State Lawmaker, Washington’s 37th House District
Seattle, WA
Eric Pettigrew has decades of experience in public service. From 2003 to 2021, he represented the residents of Washington’s 37th legislative district in the State House of Representatives, including 10 years as Caucus Chair. During his tenure, he championed charter schools, including increased funding. Eric believes charter schools provide a great complement to traditional public schools, especially for students of color. Since leaving office, Eric has continued his advocacy for charter schools, urging lawmakers to ensure all students across Washington state have access to a public school that meets their needs, including passing legislation to ensure charter public schools receive funding equal to other public schools. Mr. Pettigrew serves on the boards of the United Way of King County, the Pacific Science Center, Casey Family Programs, and the Seattle Chamber of Commerce.
Parent
Empower Community School
Hueytown, AL
Jametrice McAdams is a parent of three and a former 7th Grade ELA educator. Her children inspired her to step outside of the classroom and become an advocate for equitable learning. This love for learning has blossomed into a journey geared to promote and empower parent leadership. Jametrice created the 3rd Grade Parent Circle at Empower Community School in Bessemer, AL, where her son attends school. The Parent Circle is a space for parents to get involved in school, hold school leaders accountable, and build skills and knowledge about how to be a parent advocate. She is an alumnus of New Schools for Alabama’s Parent Voice Fellowship.
Parent and Administrator
J. Paul Taylor Academy
Las Cruces, NM
Julia Rivera-Tapia is a dedicated parent in the New Mexico charter school community. She has consistently demonstrated unwavering commitment, passion, and advocacy for students, families, and school staff. Her tireless efforts have led to improved communication channels, increased parental involvement, and a stronger sense of community within J. Paul Taylor Academy. She actively engages with school leadership, teachers, and fellow parents to ensure that all school communication is offered in Spanish as well as English. Julia emphatically leads the Equity Council and works to ensure that every student receives the support they need to thrive. Whether it’s advocating for additional resources, addressing safety concerns, or promoting mental health awareness, she champions initiatives that directly benefit our children.
Academic Administrator
West Virginia Virtual Academy
Parkersburg, WV
Cheryl Stahle is West Virginia Virtual Academy’s academic administrator, and a former teacher and professor with hands-on experience in both physical and virtual classrooms across the state. She holds administrative experience in program design, schoolwide positive behavior initiatives, and teacher development. Through her unwavering commitment and tireless efforts, Cheryl has significantly contributed to raising awareness and fostering appreciation for the remarkable charter school expansion work happening throughout the state. She consistently shines a spotlight on the positive aspects of charter schools in West Virginia, especially the virtual schools through media campaigns and community events. Cheryl has played a pivotal role in fostering connections and partnerships that have led to increased support and recognition for West Virginia Virtual Academy’s initiatives, such as the school’s partnership with Pierpont Community and Technical College offering student’s dual enrollment.
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For questions regarding stock, please email of call Celia Hagerman at [email protected] or 202-600-8994.
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National Alliance for Public Charter Schools
800 Connecticut Ave. N.W. Suite 300
Washington, DC 20006.
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Contact Celia Hagerman at [email protected] or 202-600-8994 to learn more about the Legacy Society or for any other inquiries regarding planned giving.
