As a career-long educator and school administrator that has worked within Nevada’s education system for 27 years, including the most challenged schools in the Washoe County School District, my passion to teach is evidently paramount. A few years ago, I jumped at the opportunity to lead Mater Academy of Northern Nevada, a Title 1 public charter school in the heart of Reno. Public charter schools are tuition-free and independent public schools that are more able to support low-income students who seek an alternative educational environment that better serves their learning needs. Seventy-five percent of our student body at Mater Academy are English language learners and 95% of them qualify for free or reduced lunch.
At Mater Academy, we are successfully helping Nevada’s struggling education system to better student outcomes. Our elementary school is a three-star school and the second-highest Title 1 school in Washoe County, and our middle school is also a three-star school and the highest Title 1 school in Washoe County. Interest in Mater Academy continues to grow, evidenced by the fact that our wait lists are deep enough to warrant a second campus. Our community is clearly expressing their desire for Mater Academy to expand.