In this episode of Great Leaders. Great Schools., Jessica Chapman sits down with Carlos Alvarez, principal of SLAM Miami and President of the CIVICA Educational Foundation, for a powerful conversation on what it means to build more than a school.

Carlos shares his journey from paraprofessional to founding charter school principal to leading a growing network of charter schools across the country, all rooted in a clear mission: creating purpose and possibility for every student.

Together, they explore:

• What it really takes to build a charter school from the ground up
• How strong culture and authentic relationships drive student success
• Why connecting education to real-world opportunities changes everything
• The role of career pathways, partnerships, and exposure in shaping student futures
• How great leaders balance high expectations with deep care

At the core of this conversation is a simple but powerful belief: charter schools should help students see who they can become, and give them the tools to get there.

If you believe education should open doors, spark purpose, and expand what’s possible for every student, this episode is for you.

Because when leadership gets better, schools become more than a place to learn, they become a launchpad for life.

In this episode of Great Leaders, Great Schools, host Jessica Chapman of the Florida Charter Institute sits down with two mission-driven education leaders who are transforming what high school can look like.

Dr. Karen Peck, Head of School at the State College of Florida Collegiate School in Venice, and Kelly Monod, Associate Vice President of Collegiate Schools, share how their innovative charter school model across multiple campuses prepares students for college long before graduation.

Students in their program graduate not only with a high school diploma, but with an Associate’s Degree earned through full dual enrollment on a college campus.

Dr. Peck, a U.S. Air Force veteran who served as a Staff Sergeant at the Pentagon, discusses how lessons from military leadership like teamwork, clarity of mission, and disciplined systems, shape the way she leads schools today.

Together, Dr. Peck and Kelly Monod explain how the collegiate charter model supports accelerated students while maintaining strong systems of support through academic coaching, mentoring, and collaborative teacher leadership.

Join Jessica Chapman of the Florida Charter Institute as she sits down with Patricia Pagozalski and Ahmet Akyurek from the Tallahassee School of Math and Science - TSMS, -- a shining example of excellence in Florida’s charter schools. They explore how strong connections—between students, teachers, and the community—fuel academic success and a thriving school culture. They are a wonderful example of leadership grown within a charter school. Patricia and Ahmet share insights, stories, and practical strategies that showcase the power of relationships in creating outstanding learning environments. This episode is essential listening for educators, charter school leaders, and anyone interested in the innovations driving Florida’s schools forward.