Ask most charter school board members what “good governance” looks like, and you’ll get some version of the same answer: clear roles, strong financial oversight, real academic accountability, a healthy relationship with the executive director. All true. All important. And all somewhat beside the point if a board doesn’t first understand something more basic: How […]
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After 27 years of running on high gear in the non-profit and education space, I’m doing something I have never done before. I am officially taking a sabbatical! Before I dive into the chaos of my relaxation plans, I have to give a massive shoutout to the incredible team at Lumen. Because they are absolutely […]
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A little about Lauren. Lauren is heading into her first summer as a newlywed, and she’s determined to make the most of it. Whether it’s a spontaneous day trip with her husband, being a tourist in her own town, or finding a dog-friendly adventure for their two pups, she’s always up for making memories and […]
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A little about Steph. Gardening is Steph’s happy place. It’s equal parts exercise, nourishment, and meditation, and it keeps her stocked with fresh herbs, veggies, and cut flowers all season. She pairs that with a daily morning walk that does as much for her soul as her body. Live music is her favorite way to […]
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A little about LO. LO is splitting her summer between the people she loves, some solo recharging, and the traditions she looks forward to every year — equal parts adventure and rest. Where She’s Headed What She’s Reading A fiction lover through and through — crime, suspense, psychological, historical, all of it. This summer’s list […]
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A little about Cori. Cori grew up as an only child whose parents had a firm policy: they would not entertain her. So she entertained herself. She spent entire summers in the backyard figuring things out on her own, and somewhere along the way she became obsessed with a simple idea: if you practice something […]
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A little about Gina. Gina loves to read; could have some influence on why she has chosen an information-rich career. While Gina is relatively slow when she reads, she soaks up lots of details. It doesn’t take long into a social conversation with her to see she has retained a broad spectrum of knowledge about […]
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A little about Amy. Amy is a speed reader (yes, that was actually a competition she entered as a kid). These days, finding time to sit with a good book takes more intention than it used to, but she makes it happen. Her sweet spot is historical fiction or a great beach read, books that […]
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Cameras on. Agenda shared. You ran everything smoothly. But why does it feel like half the room wasn’t really there? We hear it from nonprofit directors and school leaders all the time: ‘We do everything right. We send the agenda. We use breakout rooms. We ask for input. But something’s still missing.’ The missing piece […]
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Your team smiled through the icebreaker. Laughed at the happy hour. And forgot both by Monday morning. Culture doesn’t stick from events. It sticks from tradition. We hear it constantly from nonprofit directors and school leaders: “We care about culture. We just can’t seem to make it stick.” The problem isn’t effort or intention. It’s […]
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Background The Opportunity Trust, a St. Louis-based organization committed to expanding high-quality public school options, was awarded a five-year Charter Schools Program (CSP) State Entities (SE) grant. From the start of the grant, they joined a national community of practice led by Lumen, where other SE grantees gathered to discuss implementation challenges, share resources, and […]
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By Gina Schlieman, Partner at Lumen Impact Group When your school engages in its annual planning cycle, it can be tempting to focus on the requirements. Reviewing metrics, filling out forms, and discussing outcomes around a board or conference room table can feel monotonous and dry when it’s about checking boxes. With this mindset, School […]
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