Fighting for Kids: Battles to Create a Public Charter School
Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Current Events, Political Science, Government, Local Government
| Author: | Jane Watt | ISBN: | 9781934002728 |
| Publisher: | Keller Publishing | Publication: | February 28, 2015 |
| Imprint: | Language: | English |
| Author: | Jane Watt |
| ISBN: | 9781934002728 |
| Publisher: | Keller Publishing |
| Publication: | February 28, 2015 |
| Imprint: | |
| Language: | English |
There is nothing more critical to a child’s success in life than a quality edu- cation. Jane Watt’s triumph in establishing the Marco Island Academy is evi- dence that one passionate leader can ignite true systemic change. Fighting for Kids is a moving story that I hope encourages more people around the nation to follow Jane’s example by challenging the status quo and fighting to improve and expand educational options for American families.
—Governor Jeb Bush
Jane Watt’s book, Fighting for Kids, will touch an emotional chord with everyone who reads it. Her work to establish the Marco Island Academy and provide a better option for the children in her community takes read- ers on an incredible journey. It offers a rare view into the struggle against entrenched political forces, and the personal attacks and political road- blocks thrown at those who dare to challenge the status quo in education.
Ultimately this is a story of sacrifice and triumph, a story of uncommon love, perseverance and hope. It is a testament that a small-town girl who becomes a “mom on a mission” can move heaven and earth for her cause.
As a mother, and as someone who faces similar resistance and adversity in the fight to transform our public education system, I found this book to be a refreshingly honest assessment of much of what’s wrong and what’s right about our current system.
Jane’s experience not only informs the reader, but it has the power to inspire others who find themselves similarly dissatisfied with the schools available to their children. It sends a clear message, that despite the chal- lenges, one person can quite literally change the world for individual stu- dents and families. One person with vision and determination can rally others to a just cause and open doors of opportunity through better educa- tion that would otherwise be barred.
Jane’s story is extraordinary and uncommon, but it doesn’t have to be. Each of us is capable of more good than we realize. Each of us has the power to overcome obstacles in our paths, to draw on unseen strength from within, and to touch the lives of those around us.
When Jane Watt began her journey, she saw herself as an ordinary mother, but it wasn’t long before she was rallying political heavyweights and the neighbors next door to support her worthy endeavor of improving our country’s education system, even if it is just one mom, and one school at a time.
Fighting for Kids, is more than the title of this book. It’s a choice we can all make to defend those whose interests and voices are often disregarded
in the halls of power. It is a commitment to give all we can for the hope of
our future and for the hope of our children.
—Michelle Rhee Founder / CEO StudentsFirst
Jane Watt is a leader. Despite the hurdles and personal vilification she encountered, I found Jane to be exceptionally focused on the objective of getting the school approved. She displayed incredible persistence, deter- mination, passionate commitment combined with an unbelievable work ethic of 24/7/365 for the school while being a wife and mother for three young children. And, she wasn’t monetarily compensated for these efforts.
At the request of Gayle Thawley I first met with Jane Watt. During the meeting, Jane described the vision of the school and the many challenges her team of volunteers and she were dealing with in an effort to have the creation and start-up of Marco Island Academy approved by the district. She described the numerous bureaucratic hurdles the school district was imposing, how the local off-island, public high principal had all but declared war to prevent Marco Island Academy from being approved and how a small, but vocal, number of island residents were publicizing their objection to the creation and location of a public charter high school on the island. Plus, Jane added, “We have no money, but would you like to help us in an advisory role”? I agreed to do so.
Marco Island Academy is fulfilling its Mission and Vision. Current and future students will greatly benefit from their experience at the Academy. To all of the volunteers who have assisted Jane over the years, Thank You! To the Academy’s fantastic faculty, staff and board, thank you! And to Jane Watt, thank you, thank you!
—Rene Champagne Chairman and CEO, ITT Educational Services, Inc. (ret.) Treasurer of the Board of Directors, Marco Island Academy
The right person at the right time for the right cause is Jane Watt’s Fighting for Kids, an incredible story of how one person with vision, passion, and per- severance could ignite a community to support the best possible education for their kids. Jane skillfully escorts you through this journey of obstacles, setbacks, and triumphs of launching the Marco Island Academy. As you read this book you are captivated by how a small minority of “nimby’s” and individuals who fear change could try to derail the creation of the MIA but were defeated by a person who truly cares for kids. As the headline of the community newspaper once published, “It only takes one Watt to light up a school and a community.”
—Rick Medwedeff General Manager, Marco Island Marriott National Advisory Board Member, Marco Island Academy
Anyone searching for a blueprint for a successful charter high school need only look at the Marco Island Academy under the leadership of its board of director’s chair, Jane Watt. The winner of the 2012 Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools “Champion Governing Board Member” Award, Ms. Watt exemplifies a modern day, self-taught expert on charter schools. Why such unprecedented success?
Among a lifetime of acquaintances, Jane Watt is truly one in a million. Through the countless trials, tribulations and triumphs, this beautiful, well- educated young woman with a touch of class has never once wavered from her winning distinctiveness. Discover Jane’s conquering determination, perceptive psyche and undefeated spirit evinced within Fighting for Kids.
As an educator myself for 35 years, it has been my unequivocal privi- lege to share this extraordinary adventure toward the education I had long envisioned for my own grandchildren Abigayle, Colby and Kaydee. A debt of gratitude must now be paid to Ms. Jane Watt for championing education locally while serving as a role model for all of those nationwide who dream of a better education for America’s children. “Thank you Jane for Fighting for Kids.” Dreams really do come true!
—Gayle Thawley Marco Island Academy Founding Board Member National Advisory Board Member, Marco Island Academy
Jane Watt’s Fighting for Kids is a magnificent assessment of how one person’s vision and perseverance can succeed over ambivalence and the comfort of the status quo. The book is wisely written to take us on a behind-the-scenes journey through the forming and founding of the Marco Island Academy, but it goes much further. It essentially becomes a window into the hearts and minds of a community and how a dream for a high-quality charter school education was turned into a hard-fought reality. Fighting for Kids is a must read for anyone who applauds and appreciates tenacity, triumph and spirit.
—Timothy Truesdell President of Timothy Truesdell Investments National Advisory Board Member, Marco Island Academy
Fighting for Kids is a chronicle of Jane Watt’s personal courage, persever- ance, and strength of character throughout the charter school process in the state of Florida. She birthed an idea that was complete, compliant, and compelling and made an academic difference in the lives of public school children now and in years to come. I am humbled and honored to have been a part of Jane Watt’s charter school legacy that is now Marco Island Academy, a public charter high school.
—Vickie Marble, Principal The Student Leadership Academy of Venice National Advisory Board Member, Marco Island Academy
What motivates a person to do something for the greater good? Why would someone invest thousands of hours of effort and tens of thousands of dollars without any chance of financial gain? Find out in Jane Watt’s inspiring book, Fighting for Kids.
I personally witnessed Jane Watt’s journey from being an unassuming mother of three, to becoming a role model for thousands in her community. Jane has an uncanny ability of building solid relationships. She tirelessly nurtures these relationships with respect and dignity. Jane and her hus- band, Jim, exude a positive and energetic culture that is contagious. This culture has formed a small army of supporters that all have the same goal in mind: to create a “Student-Centered” school that will always remain flexible to support the needs of the kids.
—Kimberly Barry, Pharm. D Marco Island Academy Founding Board Member
Jane Watt is an inspiration to any educator who wants to make a difference. I have been amazed by her tenacity, resilience and personal dedication to making her dream reality. In creating the Marco Island Academy she has dealt with opposition and challenges on every front imaginable. Her story
is eloquently told in Fighting for Kids.
Anyone who hopes to forge new ground and make a difference in how
we educate the next generation must read Jane’s story. Her experience will offer invaluable insights and inspiration on how to overcome, persevere and succeed. Fighting for Kids has renewed my belief that educational inno- vation can help the next generation address the critical challenges society faces in creating a sustainable future.
—Richard Murphy, Ph.D. in Marine Ecology Projects with Jacques Cousteau, scientist, photographer, writer, educator National Advisory Board Member, Marco Island Academy
The more problems we encountered, the greater determination Jane Watt exhibited. She is an even mannered person who really listens to everyone, never losing courage or politeness. No wonder she won the fight for kids’ education.
—Dianne Wetjen Marco Island Academy Founding Board Member
There is nothing more critical to a child’s success in life than a quality edu- cation. Jane Watt’s triumph in establishing the Marco Island Academy is evi- dence that one passionate leader can ignite true systemic change. Fighting for Kids is a moving story that I hope encourages more people around the nation to follow Jane’s example by challenging the status quo and fighting to improve and expand educational options for American families.
—Governor Jeb Bush
Jane Watt’s book, Fighting for Kids, will touch an emotional chord with everyone who reads it. Her work to establish the Marco Island Academy and provide a better option for the children in her community takes read- ers on an incredible journey. It offers a rare view into the struggle against entrenched political forces, and the personal attacks and political road- blocks thrown at those who dare to challenge the status quo in education.
Ultimately this is a story of sacrifice and triumph, a story of uncommon love, perseverance and hope. It is a testament that a small-town girl who becomes a “mom on a mission” can move heaven and earth for her cause.
As a mother, and as someone who faces similar resistance and adversity in the fight to transform our public education system, I found this book to be a refreshingly honest assessment of much of what’s wrong and what’s right about our current system.
Jane’s experience not only informs the reader, but it has the power to inspire others who find themselves similarly dissatisfied with the schools available to their children. It sends a clear message, that despite the chal- lenges, one person can quite literally change the world for individual stu- dents and families. One person with vision and determination can rally others to a just cause and open doors of opportunity through better educa- tion that would otherwise be barred.
Jane’s story is extraordinary and uncommon, but it doesn’t have to be. Each of us is capable of more good than we realize. Each of us has the power to overcome obstacles in our paths, to draw on unseen strength from within, and to touch the lives of those around us.
When Jane Watt began her journey, she saw herself as an ordinary mother, but it wasn’t long before she was rallying political heavyweights and the neighbors next door to support her worthy endeavor of improving our country’s education system, even if it is just one mom, and one school at a time.
Fighting for Kids, is more than the title of this book. It’s a choice we can all make to defend those whose interests and voices are often disregarded
in the halls of power. It is a commitment to give all we can for the hope of
our future and for the hope of our children.
—Michelle Rhee Founder / CEO StudentsFirst
Jane Watt is a leader. Despite the hurdles and personal vilification she encountered, I found Jane to be exceptionally focused on the objective of getting the school approved. She displayed incredible persistence, deter- mination, passionate commitment combined with an unbelievable work ethic of 24/7/365 for the school while being a wife and mother for three young children. And, she wasn’t monetarily compensated for these efforts.
At the request of Gayle Thawley I first met with Jane Watt. During the meeting, Jane described the vision of the school and the many challenges her team of volunteers and she were dealing with in an effort to have the creation and start-up of Marco Island Academy approved by the district. She described the numerous bureaucratic hurdles the school district was imposing, how the local off-island, public high principal had all but declared war to prevent Marco Island Academy from being approved and how a small, but vocal, number of island residents were publicizing their objection to the creation and location of a public charter high school on the island. Plus, Jane added, “We have no money, but would you like to help us in an advisory role”? I agreed to do so.
Marco Island Academy is fulfilling its Mission and Vision. Current and future students will greatly benefit from their experience at the Academy. To all of the volunteers who have assisted Jane over the years, Thank You! To the Academy’s fantastic faculty, staff and board, thank you! And to Jane Watt, thank you, thank you!
—Rene Champagne Chairman and CEO, ITT Educational Services, Inc. (ret.) Treasurer of the Board of Directors, Marco Island Academy
The right person at the right time for the right cause is Jane Watt’s Fighting for Kids, an incredible story of how one person with vision, passion, and per- severance could ignite a community to support the best possible education for their kids. Jane skillfully escorts you through this journey of obstacles, setbacks, and triumphs of launching the Marco Island Academy. As you read this book you are captivated by how a small minority of “nimby’s” and individuals who fear change could try to derail the creation of the MIA but were defeated by a person who truly cares for kids. As the headline of the community newspaper once published, “It only takes one Watt to light up a school and a community.”
—Rick Medwedeff General Manager, Marco Island Marriott National Advisory Board Member, Marco Island Academy
Anyone searching for a blueprint for a successful charter high school need only look at the Marco Island Academy under the leadership of its board of director’s chair, Jane Watt. The winner of the 2012 Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools “Champion Governing Board Member” Award, Ms. Watt exemplifies a modern day, self-taught expert on charter schools. Why such unprecedented success?
Among a lifetime of acquaintances, Jane Watt is truly one in a million. Through the countless trials, tribulations and triumphs, this beautiful, well- educated young woman with a touch of class has never once wavered from her winning distinctiveness. Discover Jane’s conquering determination, perceptive psyche and undefeated spirit evinced within Fighting for Kids.
As an educator myself for 35 years, it has been my unequivocal privi- lege to share this extraordinary adventure toward the education I had long envisioned for my own grandchildren Abigayle, Colby and Kaydee. A debt of gratitude must now be paid to Ms. Jane Watt for championing education locally while serving as a role model for all of those nationwide who dream of a better education for America’s children. “Thank you Jane for Fighting for Kids.” Dreams really do come true!
—Gayle Thawley Marco Island Academy Founding Board Member National Advisory Board Member, Marco Island Academy
Jane Watt’s Fighting for Kids is a magnificent assessment of how one person’s vision and perseverance can succeed over ambivalence and the comfort of the status quo. The book is wisely written to take us on a behind-the-scenes journey through the forming and founding of the Marco Island Academy, but it goes much further. It essentially becomes a window into the hearts and minds of a community and how a dream for a high-quality charter school education was turned into a hard-fought reality. Fighting for Kids is a must read for anyone who applauds and appreciates tenacity, triumph and spirit.
—Timothy Truesdell President of Timothy Truesdell Investments National Advisory Board Member, Marco Island Academy
Fighting for Kids is a chronicle of Jane Watt’s personal courage, persever- ance, and strength of character throughout the charter school process in the state of Florida. She birthed an idea that was complete, compliant, and compelling and made an academic difference in the lives of public school children now and in years to come. I am humbled and honored to have been a part of Jane Watt’s charter school legacy that is now Marco Island Academy, a public charter high school.
—Vickie Marble, Principal The Student Leadership Academy of Venice National Advisory Board Member, Marco Island Academy
What motivates a person to do something for the greater good? Why would someone invest thousands of hours of effort and tens of thousands of dollars without any chance of financial gain? Find out in Jane Watt’s inspiring book, Fighting for Kids.
I personally witnessed Jane Watt’s journey from being an unassuming mother of three, to becoming a role model for thousands in her community. Jane has an uncanny ability of building solid relationships. She tirelessly nurtures these relationships with respect and dignity. Jane and her hus- band, Jim, exude a positive and energetic culture that is contagious. This culture has formed a small army of supporters that all have the same goal in mind: to create a “Student-Centered” school that will always remain flexible to support the needs of the kids.
—Kimberly Barry, Pharm. D Marco Island Academy Founding Board Member
Jane Watt is an inspiration to any educator who wants to make a difference. I have been amazed by her tenacity, resilience and personal dedication to making her dream reality. In creating the Marco Island Academy she has dealt with opposition and challenges on every front imaginable. Her story
is eloquently told in Fighting for Kids.
Anyone who hopes to forge new ground and make a difference in how
we educate the next generation must read Jane’s story. Her experience will offer invaluable insights and inspiration on how to overcome, persevere and succeed. Fighting for Kids has renewed my belief that educational inno- vation can help the next generation address the critical challenges society faces in creating a sustainable future.
—Richard Murphy, Ph.D. in Marine Ecology Projects with Jacques Cousteau, scientist, photographer, writer, educator National Advisory Board Member, Marco Island Academy
The more problems we encountered, the greater determination Jane Watt exhibited. She is an even mannered person who really listens to everyone, never losing courage or politeness. No wonder she won the fight for kids’ education.
—Dianne Wetjen Marco Island Academy Founding Board Member
