About Membership

About The TCSC Membership

Since 2013, the Tennessee Charter School Center has led critical work in advocacy, school support, and policy on behalf of public charter schools across the state. Now our work, and Tennessee’s public charter school sector, is being strengthened by true partnership with Tennessee’s public charter schools through membership. Beyond supporting our vital advocacy efforts, members gain exclusive access to:

  • Meetings with elected officials and legislators
  • Weekly legislative calls to stay informed on key developments
  • Input on TCSC's legislative agenda, ensuring your voice is heard
  • Governing board training and data/research support
  • Communication support, including crisis management

    • Designed to support

    Our Existing School Services are designed to support current charter administrators and educators in achieving and sustaining achievement and success for their respective schools.
    Quality School Support
    Board Training

    Quality School Support

    • Meetings with elected officials and legislators: Engage directly with policymakers through events that we host at the Capitol including our Day On the Hill.
    • Weekly legislative calls to stay informed on key developments: Stay informed in real-time about state laws and initiatives that will affect your schools.
    • Input on TCSC's legislative agenda, ensuring your voice is heard: Help shape our agenda and make sure your interests are translated into real change.
    • Governing board training and data/research support: Meet your board’s legal requirements. We also help you answer critical questions for your school through data analysis and original research.
    • Communication support, including crisis management: Receive support from our experienced communication’s and advocacy staff should the unexpected happen.

    BoardSmart

    BoardSmart: Board and Governance Training & Certification
    • Board certification ensures that all members involved in making influential decisions are knowledgeable and qualified. TCSC provides charter boards across Tennessee with impactful training and certification opportunities on a yearly basis to better support the operations, development, and sustainability of high-quality schools. (Note: Per TN law, TCSC is required to certify that boards have completed board training requirements annually.)
    • Audience: Charter school board members
    • Contact: Marceia Ashe, marceia@tnchartercenter.org

    Board Training

    Board Training Open NOW

    Board certification ensures that all members involved in making influential decisions are knowledgeable and qualified. Additionally, it’s required by law for all new and returning board members.

    TCSC makes board members’ mandatory annual training available to all member schools. (Note: Per TN law, TCSC is required to certify that boards have completed board training requirements annually.)

    If you are interested in non-member TCSC Governing Board Training at a cost of $1250, please sign up for just our board trainings, please reach out to kim@tnchartercenter.org. If you would like to become a TCSC Member, reach out to robert@tnchartercenter.org.

    TCSC Job Board

    • TCSC hosts a collective job board for posting career opportunities in charter schools across the state. Fin your next great education career opportunity on the job board here.
    • Audience: Existing charter schools

    Nashville Charter Collaborative

    The Nashville Charter Collaborative offers leaders of the city's high achievement and high growth public charter schools a structure to work together on areas of shared need, such as professional development and recruitment of high-quality teachers. Collectively, members of the Collaborative believe that education transforms lives and that every child in Nashville has the right to a high-quality public education. In the fall of 2018, the Collaborative formalized as a program of the Tennessee Charter School Center to provide the member schools with an official structure to continue growing their work together.
    Check out the Nashville Charter Collaborative website here.

    What Our Schools Are Saying

    • Bob Nardo
      We are enthusiastic members because our children, who have been disenfranchised from educational opportunities in the past, need effective and unified advocacy to ensure equity. TCSC builds a bridge between our needs as school leaders and the strategies needed to push for change.
      Bob Nardo
      Executive Director at Libertas School Memphis
    • Elaine Swafford
      I choose to be a TCSC member for several reasons: Advocacy, Connection, and Information. TCSC ensures that I have the support and resources I need whether it's navigating policy change or tackling school challenges.
      Elaine Swafford
      CEO at Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy and Montessori Elementary at Highland Park
    • Lakendra Butler
      TCSC has been an invaluable support since the inception of STRIVE. The Center advocates on our behalf, allowing us to focus on what we love: educating children, while knowing there's a team working for our best interests.
      Lakendra Butler
      Founder and Executive Director at STRIVE Collegiate Academy Nashville
    • Tom Benton
      TCSC has been a trusted advocate since our opening in 2014. The teamis knowledgeable, available, and offers strategic advice when needed most. Their support was pivotal in our school's recent 10-year renewal.
      Tom Benton
      Founder and School Director at Vision Prep Memphis
    • Yetta Lewis
      As a charter leader, I rely on TCSC for expert guidance on policy and legislative matters. Being a member gives us access to the support we need to overcome barriers and ensure we can provide high-quality education.
      Yetta Lewis
      CEO and Co-Founder at Gestalt Community Schools Memphis

      Frequently Asked Questions

      We are raising the bar of excellence and ensuring all children in Tennessee have access to high-quality education.

      Ready to Join?

      Please reach out to robert@tnchartercenter.org to sign up!

      About the Membership

      Download our membership PDF to learn more about the TCSC Membership.
      Learn More

      Membership Inquiries

      For general questions or comments, please contact kim@tnchartercenter.org.