In the pursuit of excellence and equity in charter school authorizing, the A-GAME framework has emerged as a transformative tool for driving accountability and advancing educational opportunities. This workshop will feature one or more early adopters of A-GAME services who will provide a comprehensive overview of the A-GAME process and demonstrate how their authorizing office utilizes this framework to promote global access, academic achievement, mission alignment, and equity within their charter schools. Through real-world examples, interactive discussions, and shared experiences, participants will gain insights into the practical implementation of A-GAME and its profound impact on charter school authorizing.
Vashaunta Harris is a native South Carolinian born into a family of ministers and educators. After graduating from College of Charleston, she began her career in education as a 2008 Teach For America Baltimore corp member teaching high school biology and chemistry with Baltimore City Public Schools. After completing a master’s program at Johns Hopkins, she joined Scholar Academies charter management organization as an operations coordinator/manager serving schools in PA, DC, NJ, and TN. Then, she served DC Public Schools by way of Director of Strategic School Operations. Vashaunta returned to her home state of South Carolina serving the SC Public Charter School District as Chief, Access & Equity in 2019. Vashaunta has coached around performance and equity since 2019 and began coaching for equity and impact independently in early 2022. Vashaunta enjoys morning coffee (vanilla soy lattes or café Americano), beach vacations with her family, Game of Thrones (though the final season was a bit disappointing), and cooking new recipes.
John serves as an Early Adopter to the A-GAME process and framework having implemented within the Delaware State Department of Education.
Naomi provides families, school leaders, and policymakers transparent and actionable school performance information. Through an initiative called the A-GAME, Naomi is changing the way school quality is assessed by including more than state testing when creating performance frameworks and determining school renewal. She provides school staff and boards strategic development utilizing a customized self-assessment. Naomi has held executive leadership positions at D.C.’s charter school authorizer and support organization. She is a member of the Coalition of Learner Equity, vice chair of DC Bilingual Public Charter School, a Pahara-Aspen education leader, a Fulbright scholar, and was high school teacher. John serves as an Early Adopter to the A-GAME process and framework having implemented within the Delaware State Department of Education.