Authorizers
This session will focus on strategies for engaging and supporting new and resource-constrained charter school authorizers, with a spotlight on national practices and examples of successful mentorship programs in Florida. Participants will learn about practical tools and services available through the Colorado Association of Charter School Authorizers (CACSA) designed to help authorizers build capacity and strengthen their practices. The discussion will include real-world examples of how mentorship programs and peer-to-peer learning can improve the quality of their work, and promote collaboration between authorizers and operators. Attendees will walk away with a list of resources and opportunities to grow their own practice and elevate the quality of authorizing within their contexts.
Vanessa Glenn joined FACSA as the Project Support Specialist in July 2021. She recently served as the Treasurer for FACSA and Specialist for the Office of Charter Schools at Polk County Public Schools. Vanessa has been involved in public education since 2013. During her tenure with PCPS, Vanessa was responsible for coordinating high stakes five-year reviews for charter schools, charter contract renewals, and the charter application process from prospective applicant training to charter review team reviews and applicant interviews. She also played a vital role in monitoring Polk County’s 30 charter schools for compliance and academic performance.
Her commitment to quality education for all students led her to join the Polk County Sheriff’s Advisory Council in 2018, where she was able to engage in the council’s discussions about various matters within the Polk County community. Her experience on the council provided her the opportunity to participate in assignments such as patrol ride-alongs, observe the 911 call center, visiting the local jail and booking center, and most importantly serving her local community as active participant.
A former native of Virginia Beach, Vanessa worked for Ferguson Enterprises in Newport News, Virginia where she led efforts to support Ferguson’s 1,500 branch locations and distribution centers as an Implementation Coordinator in Information Technology.
Vanessa earned her Associate of Science in Business Administration from Polk State College.
Alex Medler is Executive Director of the National Network for District Authorizing. Medler was previously the Chair of the NN4DA Governing Council and Executive Director of the Colorado Association of Charter School Authorizers (CACSA). He also served as the National Coordinator of the Tri-State Alliance to Improve District-Led Authorizing, which was a precursor to the NN4DA. This previous effort was a collaborative comprising CACSA, the Florida Association of Charter School Authorizers (FACSA), and the California Charter Authorizing Professionals (CCAP).
He previously led the National Charter School Resource Center; and directed policy, research, and technical assistance initiatives for the National Association of Charter School Authorizers (NACSA); the Colorado Children’s Campaign; the U.S. Department of Education’s Charter Schools Program; and the Education Commission of the States. He is a founding board member and former chair of the board of the Center for Learner Equity, he served on the board of NACSA, and he founded and chaired the board of the Colorado Charter School Institute.
Medler earned a Ph.D. in political science from the University of Colorado Boulder and graduated from the University of California Santa Cruz. He lives in Boulder, Colorado with wife, where he enjoys being in the mountains and playing music with friends.
