Dr. Tesha Robinson has spent her career creating the kind of school she needed when she was a child. At 39, she has earned a doctorate, worked as a social worker, served as a principal and now leads Friendly Academy — a public charter school built on the belief that every student deserves to be seen, supported and loved.
Robinson, founder and CEO of Friendly Academy, said some of her own experiences as a student left her feeling overlooked. Instead of allowing those moments to limit her, she used them to shape a school where children feel connected to the adults responsible for their education. “I know the impact that feeling overlooked can have on people,” Robinson said. “Every student needs to feel loved and like they belong, and that they have people they can count on.”
Friendly Academy opened in August 2025 with 75 kindergarten and first-grade students. As the tuition-free public charter school prepares for its second year, enrollment has grown to more than 200 students. Robinson said 99% of families are returning — a sign of trust she does not take lightly.
“I feel honored,” she said. “My faith is very important to me, and I believe I am walking in obedience by serving people in this way.”…