Helping DC Charter Schools Develop High-Quality Special Education Programs
Linda Moore is the founder and Executive Director of the Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom Public Charter School, one of the premier public schools in Washington, DC. Established in 1996, the Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom Public Charter School, prepares 250 culturally diverse elementary school students in the District of Columbia to be leaders, scholars and responsible citizens, who are committed to social justice. Stokes School teaches children to think, speak, read, write and learn in two languages: English and French or English or Spanish. For over 35 years, Ms. Moore has worked to improve conditions for children and families. She has designed and provided professional development programs for educators and community leaders throughout the United States. Much of her work has focused on bringing together disparate education, health, mental health, child welfare, social services and faith-based agencies to work collaboratively on behalf of children and families. Ms. Moore has worked in settings as varied as the City of Little Rock, the Rankin County (MS) Human Resource Center, Memphis (TN) City Schools, the National Community Education Association, the Council of Chief State School Officers and the Institute for Educational Leadership. In addition, she has served as a consultant to numerous school districts, child and family service organizations, foundations and local and state governments.
Norman N. Johnson received his Bachelors degree in 1968 and Master's degree in Business Technology in 1976 from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He also received an Associate degree in Computer Science Technology from Northern Virginia Community College in 1995. Norm spent 26 years in the Army and retired from active duty as a Colonel in October 1994. Norm is one of an original group of founders of the Integrated Design and Electronics Academy (IDEA) Public Charter School in Washington, DC and is currently its Executive Director. The IDEA Public Charter School was founded in 1997 and integrates the JROTC program with academics and focuses on career technology training for high school students. The school has grown from 43 students to its current enrollment of 403 students. The school added grades 7 and 8 in 2003 to its existing grades of 9-12.