The Group Text You Hope Never Hits a Public Records Request
School leadership rarely happens in isolation — and neither does problem solving. Behind many successful school leaders is a trusted peer network where real-time leadership challenges get processed honestly: staffing crises, board politics, operational fires, difficult parent situations, compliance confusion, leadership burnout, and moments so absurd they become long-running inside jokes. This interactive session examines what emerged from a decade of authentic school leader conversations inside a trusted peer leadership text thread. Participants will explore recurring leadership patterns, practical problem-solving strategies, leadership sustainability practices, and the role trusted professional networks play in improving decision-making and reducing isolation. Participants will leave with practical tools for building high-trust leadership support systems, reducing leadership burnout, strengthening peer collaboration, and creating sustainable leadership practices in increasingly complex educational environments.
Presented by
Jillayne Antoon River Charter Schools
Tera Napier Executive Director Sherman Thomas Charter Schools
Tera Napier is the Executive Director of Sherman Thomas Charter Schools in Madera, California. With more than 20 years of educational leadership, she is committed to creating student-centered schools through strong governance, sustainable fiscal practices, and effective organizational systems. Tera believes every decision should support student success and continuous improvement. She serves on the California Charter Schools Association Member Council and the Central Valley Charter Leaders PLC, where she collaborates with fellow leaders to advance high-quality public charter schools throughout California.
Corrie Sands Superintendant Hughes Elizabeth Lake Union Elementary School District
Casey Taylor Superintendent Achieve Charter School
Casey Taylor is the founder and Executive Director of Achieve Charter Schools of Paradise. After the 2018 Paradise Camp Fire, Casey led her team in reopening schools in temporary facilities in Chico, while building a permanent school facility there. In the 2021-22 school year, Achieve opened Achieve Charter School of Chico at the new facility and reopened Achieve Charter School of Paradise at the original campus in Paradise. She and her team are now working to reopen Achieve Charter High School in Paradise in the coming years.
