For those I have not yet met, my name is Stacy Tchouanguem, and I serve as Advocacy Manager for Aristoi Classical Academy. I graduated from a public charter high school, and after university, I returned there as a middle school science teacher. The world of classical education became known to me in the midst of this experience and I fell in love! Several years later, this is what has brought me to Aristoi!

 

As the Advocacy Manager for our school and in partnership with the Texas Charter Public School Association, we aim to forge deep relationships with our state legislators so that they know who we are and why our mission and vision matters. Lawmakers who are engaged with our public charter school community and properly informed are more likely to support public charter schools, or at least, less likely to vocally oppose them. This year thus far, we have had several lawmaker engagements across the district and several more planned for the rest of the school year.

 

● Creating focus groups where parents and staff/faculty will be trained on the who, what, where, and how of legislative advocacy 

● Attending town hall meetings and other events that allow direct engagement with lawmakers 

 

● Attend a training session (details can be found in the weekly newsletters, social media, and emails sent by advocacy manager)

● Fill out the Parent Advocacy Interest Form: receive direct emails and updates about training sessions

● Sign up for TPSCA’s grassroots email: for updates on all things public charter schools

 

As public charter school advocates, we are engaging with all lawmakers, regardless of party, who represent the districts we are housed. This by no means is an endorsement for any lawmaker. We are advocating for our public charter school in spaces where lawmakers may be misinformed on what we do and what we mean to families and students. Understandably, lawmakers have many stances; the hope is that a positive interaction with Aristoi gives them a different perspective, and we have seen firsthand that legislators can change their stance on public charter schools when they engage with us. We want to engage, educate, and hopefully build support where it matters most during the legislative session.

 

Building these relationships during an interim year is imperative, as elected officials will have less time during the 90th Legislative Session to interact directly with schools. We want to ensure that when our officials are making those final decisions, they remember you! 

 

Together as Aristoi, the advocacy manager and legislators, we will ensure continued growth and success for our community. If you have any questions about advocacy efforts, please feel free to contact me.