Volume 3 No. 9
The incoming CEO of West Michigan Aviation Academy, Nicole Gasper


On behalf of Bay Mills Community College Charter Schools Office, we want to congratulate Nicole Gasper on being named the CEO of the West Michigan Aviation Academy (WMAA) effective July 1st. A graduate of Northern Michigan University, she brings international experience with her in new role which is crucial as WMAA attracts students of all ethnic backgrounds with a passion for aviation. She will take over for interim CEO, Larry Fisher, who assumed the role when longtime CEO Patrick Cwayna joined the West Michigan Aviation Academy Foundation earlier this year.

Located within the Bay Mills Indian Community in Chippewa County, the Ojibwe Charter School in Brimley, Michigan, strives to make their students well-rounded members of society by coupling rigorous academic pursuits with lessons in positivity and the Seven Grandfather Teachings. The educators at the school incorporate their positivity education in their "TRIBE" system. "TRIBE" stands for Treat others kindly, Ready to learn, I need to listen, Be safe and Everyone tries their best. Each of these aspects of the system reinforces in their students to be positive forces for good in the world, use their education in their daily lives, and share it with others.
 
Last year there were 96 students enrolled in the K-12 charter school which incorporates the The Seven Grandfather Teachings into their daily education, teaching students important traits of a good person. The seven teachings are respect, wisdom, bravery, honesty, love, truth, and humility. Every month the school picks one of the teachings to encourage the students to emulate the teaching during their daily lives, both at school and at home. Like the TRIBE system, these teachings are not an adherence to the traditional classroom setting but, nonetheless, just as important as the students mature, develop their character and prepare to enter life out of high school. Having those seven characteristics and being able to actively use them will allow the students to go out and make a positive impact on the world around them.
 
Two of May's students of the month - congratulations!
 
Each month, Ojibwe Charter uses TRIBE and the Teachings to pick one of the younger students to be the student of the month from each class. The students picked exemplify each of the TRIBE traits as well as the month's Grandfather Teachings to the highest ability amongst their peers. It is always great to have students, especially young ones, in the school who care so much for their school's environment and want to make it as positive of place as possible and decide to take the proper actions to do it.
 
Aside from their teachings on positivity and traits of a good person, Ojibwe Charter School has impressive athletic teams. The school features a girls' volleyball team, a boys' soccer team, as well both boys' and girls' basketball, cross country, and track teams as well as a robotics team. 

The Objibwe Charter robotics team in action!

Recently players on both their boys' and girls' basketball teams achieved some impressive accomplishments in the 2019 Northern Lights Conference. On the girls' team, Sophomore Amea Miller was named to the second all-conference team while Junior Chennoah Teeple was given an honorable mention in the conference. As for the boys' team, Senior Richard Wills was chosen to be on the second team all-conference while Freshman James Adkins was given an honorable mention.

 The Ojibwe Charter Eagles on the court!

Educating, nurturing and developing young minds will produce the leaders for next generation. Keep up the great work, Ojibwe Charter!

Learn more about Ojibwe Charter School by visiting their website: 
Interested in gaining educational experience? Or are you looking to add to your resume? Consider becoming a charter school board member for a public school academy authorized by Bay Mills Community College Charter Schools Office!
 
At Bay Mills Community College, we support a quality education to urban, minority and/or poor children.
 
Bay Mills will provide all of our academy boards with pertinent training so that they are able to make choices that are in the best interest of the students that attend their academies .
 
Our public school academies are always looking for new members that bring a range of skills, experiences and desire to help the Academy students to excel academically, as well as having the goal of advancing the mission of Bay Mills.
 
Some requirements of the position:
  • Engagement with the goals of the Academy
  • Enthusiasm to be an ambassador for the Academy
  • Willingness to fulfill the obligation of a board member, as well as continue to uphold the standards of being a board member
           
Board Member Qualifications:
  • Citizen of the United States
  • Resident of the State of Michigan
  • Submit materials requested by the College Charter Schools Office such as:
    • Public School Academy Board Member Appointment Questionnaire
      • Must include authorization to process a background check of the nominee
      • Submit annual disclosure of conflicts of interest
Members of the Board of Directors shall include:
  • At least one parent or guardian of a child attending the school
  • One professional educator; preferably a person with school administrative experience
Members of the Board of Directors shall NOT include:
  • Any member appointed or controlled by another profit or non-profit corporation
  • Academy employees or independent contractors performing services for the Academy
  • Any current or former director, officer, or employee of a management company that contracts with the academy
  • College officials or employees 
All Academy Board members shall serve in their individual capacity, and not as a designee of any other person or entity. If it is found that a person is serving as a representative or designee of another person or entity, they shall be deemed ineligible to serve as a Director of the Academy Board. They shall be removed from office in accordance with provisions found in the Resolution or Schedule 2: Bylaws.
 
Note that a Director serves at the pleasure of the College Board, and may be removed with or without cause by the College Board at any time.
           
Working with an Academy is the perfect opportunity to advance your career interests, expand your knowledge on education and help children receive a quality education that will last a lifetime. Apply to become a board member today!

For more information or to receive an application, please contact Megan Ringuette, Bay Mills Community College Charter Schools Office Compliance Coordinator at 906-248-8419 or mringuette@bmcc.edu.
About Bay Mills Community College Charter Schools
Bay Mills Community College began authorizing charter schools in the year 2000 and now authorizes 46 schools serving approximately 22,000 students. Fall 2015: 22,729 and Spring 2016: 22,257
 
Our Mission: To ensure a quality education for urban, minority, and/or poor children by improving and expanding educational opportunities through innovative oversight methods. To provide academy boards with the necessary support and training so that they may make educated decisions that are in the best interest of the students that attend their academies.