Leading Through a Crisis: Leadership Lessons Learned

In this session, California charter school leaders who have lived through recent disasters will share hard lessons learned, including tips for leading through a crisis, how to design strong communication strategies, the importance of having active relationships with authorizers, community, state, and local leaders, and community support networks. They will also share how to prepare for teaching and assessments during these crises, how to design mental health strategies, and much more.

Join this session to learn how to lay a strong foundation for leading in and through a crisis.

Presented by

Dr. Carlos Garcia Saldaña

Executive Director
Odyssey Charter Schools

Dr. Carlos serves as the Executive Director of Odyssey Charter Schools. As a lifelong educator, he is committed to the values of community, academic excellence, and diversity which are found throughout many aspects of the Odyssey Charter Schools. Most recently he served as Director of Operations overseeing a variety of aspects of the Odyssey and Odyssey SOUTH campuses. From 2018-2022, he served as the Founding Principal of Odyssey Charter SOUTH, and previously was the Assistant Director at Odyssey Charter School overseeing the areas of assessment, accountability, reporting, marketing, and technology. Prior to joining Odyssey, his career was in higher education at various universities in California and Maryland. Dr. Carlos earned a B.S. in Marketing & International Business Administration from Cal Poly Pomona, an M.Ed. in Counseling & Personnel Services from the University of Maryland, and an Ed.D in Educational Leadership for Social Justice from Loyola Marymount University.

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.

Mary Cox

Executive Director/Superintendent
CORE Butte Charter School

Mary Cox is the Superintendent/Executive Director of CORE Butte Charter School, a TK–12 personalized learning hybrid school in Chico, CA. Since joining CORE in 2005, she has launched innovative programs, including a College Model hybrid high school, and served as High School Director before assuming her current role in 2016. Mary serves on the APlus+ Advisory Council, CCSA Member Council, El Dorado Charter SELPA Executive Committee, and is President of the Butte/Glenn ACSA Chapter as well as a member of the ACSA Region 2 Executive Board. In 2024, she chaired the California State Women in Leadership Symposium and was recognized as Superintendent of the Year for Butte/Glenn ACSA and Outstanding Woman Leader for ACSA Region 2. A passionate advocate for school choice and personalized education, Mary works to expand flexibility and options for students and families. She earned her degrees and credentials from California State University, Chico.

Taletha Washburn

Executive Director
Plumas Charter School

Taletha has been with Plumas Charter School for 21 years, serving as the Executive Director for 11. She has working knowledge of all things Charter, including governance, fiscal management, curriculum and staff oversight, facilities development, grant writing and Career Technical Education Programs.