***MEDIA ALERT***
Washington, D.C.- As the public charter school community gathers in Austin, Texas, attendees will hear from voices that are not often amplified – the voices of students and teachers.
Raven Osbourne, a graduate of the 21st Century Charter School in Gary, Ind., earned her bachelor’s degree while in high school, two weeks before earning her high school diploma. She began taking community college classes in 9th grade and, after two years, transferred to Purdue University’s Northwest campus. Raven, a straight-A student and Class of 2017 valedictorian, did this without taking on any debt thanks to her public charter school and is now fully employed as a reading interventionist at her alma mater.
Maria Rocha is a third-grade teacher at KIPP Esperanza in San Antonio, Texas, who was able to earn her teaching credentials thanks to DACA. She is a leader is the classroom and is pursuing her Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from The University of Texas at San Antonio.
Finally, attendees will hear from Zion Kelly, a recent charter school graduate who made headlines in March when he engrossed hundreds of thousands at the March for Our Lives rally in Washington, D.C. Zion shared his story after his twin brother, Zaire, was the victim of gun violence last September. He is now an outspoken student activist determined to end gun violence.
These three speakers embody the theme of this year’s conference as they empower themselves and others to dream big to create lasting, meaningful change.WHAT: Teacher, students speak out on social issues at 2018 National Charter Schools Conference.
WHEN: Monday, June 18, 201
9:40am – 10:00am CT
WHERE: Austin Convention Center, Grand Ballroom, Level 4
Link to Facebook Livestream: https://www.facebook.com/CharterSchools/
WHO: Raven Osbourne, Reading Interventionist and former student, 21st Century Charter School (Gary, Indiana)
Maria Rocha, Teacher, KIPP Esperanza Dual Language Academy (San Antonio, Texas)
Zion Kelly, Student, Thurgood Marshall Academy Public Charter School (Washington, DC)
