DC Public Charter School Educators Share What Keeps Them Going
At the EmpowerEd Teacher Solutions Summit, DC public charter school teachers reflect on the purpose and passion that drive their work every day.
Teaching is demanding work. Yet for many public charter school educators in Washington DC, the motivation to step into the classroom each day comes from a powerful source: their students.
At the EmpowerEd Teacher Solutions Summit held on March 7, public charter school teachers shared what inspires them, the challenges they face, and why they remain deeply committed to helping young people succeed.
Alexa Prepetit, a science teacher at DC International School, says her inspiration comes from watching students grow and discover their potential.
“I am motivated by the future and the possibility for better,” she said. “My students show so much growth and potential, and I want to nurture that as best as I can.”
Prepetit and Dallas Cherry Jr., a science educator at Maya Angelou Public Charter School, led a session at the summit focused on science instruction and ways to better support science teachers and students across the city.
Like many educators, Prepetit also sees challenges when students are asked to tackle complex science material that may not match their reading level. More accessible resources, she says, would help ensure every student can fully engage with the subject.
Cherry believes strong science instruction depends on giving students opportunities to explore and learn through experience.
“At EmpowerEd, we are advocating not only for professional development but also for experiential learning and more labs and hands-on learning opportunities,” Cherry said. “Our students are the future of the city, and we need to invest in them.”
Cherry also sees charter schools as an important pathway for opportunity.
“My charter school provides opportunities for students who may not always get them elsewhere,” he said. “Sometimes we call it a second-chance school, but we also support students who are pursuing their first big opportunity.”
For Kimberly Kelley, a reading teacher at the Goodwill Excel Center PCS, teaching is also deeply personal. As a teacher with dyslexia, she uses technology, including AI to make learning more accessible for herself and her students.
“AI helps me create accessibility tools faster and gives students more independence,” Kelley said. “It allows people like me to do our work without always having to ask someone else for help.”
While their classrooms and experiences may differ, these educators share a common purpose: helping students discover their potential and preparing them for what comes next.
Every day, public charter school teachers across Washington, DC show up ready to guide, challenge, and inspire the next generation.
