Hey Rebel Educators, I want to start by sharing that I love this group of people. I never doubt that a small group of people can change the world and the number of rebel educators - including those not in this group - is no small number any more. You are out there doing the work, changing the system, supporting the students and changing the world - DO NOT STOP! I started this group as an experiment to see how we could connect, support and communicate with each other. I wanted a space to learn and grow and support new and prospective founders and education ideas, a space where they could flourish. I still want those things. I have made the difficult decision to close this online community, but not because I want to see it go away, I want to see you all connect and continue to grow together. There are several other ways to do this. So why are you closing this? This community has not been as engaged and connected as I had hoped. I get it, you are all busy, you have several different platforms to check with different communities vying for your attention, and you have businesses to run. I don’t want to pressure you, I don’t want to vie for your attention, I want to be a resource, a support, a place you seek out for help growing your business and launching your school. How can you stay in touch? I plan to continue the Rebel Educator Newsletter, you can sign up here: https://rebel-educator.beehiiv.com/subscribe I plan to continue the Rebel Educator Facebook Group, you can join here: https://www.facebook.com/rebeleducator1 Connect with me and follow me on LinkedIn where I am most active: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheckley I plan to continue the monthly business building calls in the fall. These are some of my favorite things to do, to hear your challenges and your wins and work through them together. There is strength in knowing you are not alone and that others have walked your path, there is knowledge in hearing how others have dealt with challenges and from seeing things from an outside perspective. I love these calls. Times and links will be shared in the newsletters.

'Small Shifts, Big Impact', a new complimentary webinar series by Roots ConnectED, kicks off this August! Join us August 11th for 'Small Shifts, Big Impact: Words Matter'; a 30 minute session where you will explore how small, intentional shifts in language can transform classroom culture, strengthen relationships, and create deeper belonging. Can't make it August 11th? Check out the series page for our webinar calendar (they are all open for registration!), and sign up for our newsletter to stay informed.

Unfortunately something has come up for Siri and we have to reschedule todays event until August. Stay tuned to learn more about CompetenSee! This weeks Rebel Founders Business Building call will be tomorrow at noon during our usual co-working time, not on Friday at 1:30. We have a quarterly planning meeting on Thursday morning from 9:30 - 11:30. We will reflect on the first half of the year and build plans for the coming school year. See you soon! Keep challenging the status quo!

Big News! Stand Together Trust is proud to partner with Building Hope to launch the new Microschool Loan Program, a $675,000 loan fund fueled by philanthropic support from Stand Together Trust and the Beth and Ravenel Curry Foundation. This initiative supports early-stage, founder-led microschools with flexible, affordable capital. Building Hope will lead program implementation and lending. Who’s Eligible: Microschools that meet the following criteria are eligible to apply: - Operating now or launching by Fall 2025 - A registered nonprofit or for-profit business in their state - An active business bank account - No pending litigation that could materially impact finances or operations - Planning to serve 10–100 students in the 2025–26 school year - Willing to collect a $25 deposit per projected student to validate enrollment - Willing to secure general liability business insurance before loan closing - A signed commercial lease before funds are disbursed - Able to submit a five-year financial model with the loan application Home-based microschools are not eligible for this pilot, though we’re actively identifying lenders who successfully underwrite these programs. This fund is more than a financial product. It’s a prototype. A learning platform. A first step toward showing that microschools can and will repay mission-aligned capital if given the chance. I encourage you to apply if you are seeking debt financing.