New Orleans, LA — June 27, 2026 — While at the National Charter Schools Conference in New Orleans, the Florida Charter School Alliance, in partnership with Cognia, honored several exceptional individuals whose passion, leadership, and expertise strengthen their charter schools and enrich the communities they serve. The FCSA Charter School Heroes embody the very mission of the charter school movement—empowering students to succeed, increasing graduation rates, and expanding access to high-quality public education for every child.
The FCSA Charter School Hero celebration was held on June 25, 2026 — the second day of the National Charter Schools Conference — an annual event where educators, advocates, school leaders, and stakeholders from across the country connect, collaborate, and learn from one another. Co-sponsored by Cognia, the annual Charter School Hero event showcased innovative best practices, inspiring success stories, and the continued momentum of a movement dedicated to expanding opportunities and driving higher student achievement for children nationwide.
The 2026 FCSA Charter School Heroes were nominated by their colleagues for their outstanding leadership, unwavering dedication, and lasting impact on their communities and the Florida families who depend on quality charter school options.
2026 FCSA Charter School Heroes:
Sonia Robles, VP of Finance, UCP of Central Florida/UCP Charter Schools
“Sonia has been with UCP Charter Schools for over 10 years and has been an incredible support in ensuring all our financials are always on time/in compliance,” said Dr. Ilene Wilkens, CEO/Superintendent, UCP of Central Florida/UCP Charter Schools. “She has also taken the lead on our various federal grants (and we get high marks for compliance!).”
picture (left to right): Dr. Ilene Wilkins and Sonia Robles
Da’Nika Arnold, Principal, BridgePrep of Collier
Under the exceptional leadership of Da’Nika Arnold, the school’s 3rd–8th grade Reading and Writing program achieved double-digit growth in three critical areas: 3rd-grade passing rates, overall school passing rates, and academic growth for our most struggling students. “This success is a direct result of her hands-on approach—mastering the curriculum herself, teaching directly, and continuously refining her teacher coaching,” said Jeffrey Rothchild, Chief Operations Officer, SMART Management/Bridgeprep Academies. “Da’Nika’s deep commitment to her team is proven by an incredible 100% staff retention rate. Beyond her campus, her strategic contributions have been vital to BPA’s broader success, from helping secure our 5-year Cognia accreditation and shaping our network-wide onboarding program to successfully rebuilding critical relationships and trust with the local school district.”
pictured: Da’Nika Arnold (center with award) and the Bridgeprep Academy/SMART Management team.
Marisol Gomez, Founding Principal, Mater Beach Academy
For more than 25 years, Marisol Gomez has been a valued leader within the Mater Academy network of charter schools. She started as a classroom teacher at Mater East and later served as the founding principal of Mater Beach Academy, guiding the K–6 school to high-performing status and establishing it as one of the top schools in the state.“Her loyalty, dedication, and unwavering commitment to Mater Academy’s mission have made her an invaluable leader and teammate,” said Kim Guilarte Gil, Chief Operating Officer, Mater Academy. “Always willing to help and always bringing humor and positivity to those around her, Marisol exemplifies true leadership. This recognition is a fitting tribute to someone who has made such a lasting impact on our organization and the countless lives she has touched.”
pictured (left to right): Marisol Gomez and Lynn Norman-Teck
Adam Emerson, Executive Director of the Office of School Choice, Florida Department of Education
In this role, Adam Emerson oversees Florida’s K–12 school choice programs, including charter schools, scholarship programs, home education, and private school options. Since joining the department in 2014 as Charter Schools Director and now as Director of the Office of School Choice, Adam has made a significant impact by supporting, developing, and defending charter school and school choice policies that benefit families and educators.
pictured (left to right): Dr. Tony Arza and Vicki Pineda, Charter School Director at FLDOE, accept the award for Adam Emerson.
About FCSA
