MCLEOD SOCIETY
FELLOWSHIP
The McLeod Society Fellowship is a selective, year-long leadership fellowship housed within Freedom to Choose Schools. It supports experienced education leaders working across the full landscape of education options—including public, charter, microschool, homeschool, and community-based models.
Rooted in the legacy of Mary McLeod Bethune, the fellowship equips leaders with the policy fluency, leadership tools, and national network needed to expand access to high-quality education options for families.
In 2026, the fellowship enters a new chapter under Freedom to Choose Schools, deepening its focus on leadership development, cross-sector collaboration, and real-world impact.
MEET OUR 2026 FELLOWS
Catayah Clark
Founder/Planning Chair, Palmetto Pathways Academy, South Carolina
Catayah is a veteran South Carolina educator with over 20 years of experience. She is the Founder and Planning Chair of Palmetto Pathways Academy and has spent the past decade leading virtual education, including serving as the instructional leader for VirtualSC and as a high school principal for two statewide virtual charter schools, including South Carolina Connections Academy.
Ahmed White
Founder/Executive Director, The Rock Academy, Tennessee
Ahmed is an education leader and school founder preparing to launch a new charter school, The Rock, in Nashville, Tennessee. His work is centered on building a high-quality, community-driven school model that expands opportunity for students and families. Drawing on experience in school leadership and advocacy, Ahmed is committed to strengthening public education through innovation and strong community partnerships.
Jeremy Derrel Sager, Ed.D.
Founder/Executive Director, Novus Smart Charter Academy, Tennessee
Jeremy is an education leader, school founder, and instructional expert with over 15 years of experience advancing student achievement in underserved communities. He serves in a leadership role within Harmony Public Schools and previously led as a principal at Nashville Prep, earning national recognition for academic growth.
Sean Michael Hardy, MSW
VP, Leadership and Strategic Initiatives, Innovate Public Schools, California
Sean is a social worker, activist, and national leader in community organizing focused on equity in education and tech. He currently serves as Vice President of Leadership Development & Strategic Initiatives at Innovate Public Schools, where he works to build leadership pipelines and strengthen advocacy efforts.
Elan Page
Founder, Homeschool Our Way, Texas
Elan is a nationally recognized education leader, author, and Founder of Page Education Foundation. She leads efforts to develop diverse educator pipelines and expand leadership pathways for educators of color. Through her work across school leadership, policy, and community engagement, Elan is advancing access to high-quality public education and strengthening the next generation of education leaders.
Nicole Stewart
Founder/Executive Director, NABML, Florida
Nicole is the Founder of National Alliance of Black Microschool Leaders (NABML), where she is building a national network of Black-led microschools. Her work centers on advancing innovative, community-based education models and equipping educators with the tools to launch and sustain high-quality learning environments. She is a leading voice in the growing microschool movement.
Bernita Bradley
Executive Director, Engage Detroit, Michigan
Bernita is an education leader, advocate, and founder of Engaged Detroit, a growing homeschool and microschool network serving hundreds of families. She began her work by launching a microschool model for families seeking better educational options and has since expanded it into a community-driven ecosystem connecting parents, educators, and learning partners.
Shiren Rattigan
Founder, Colossal Academy, Florida
Shiren is a nationally recognized education innovator and founder of Colossal Academy, a microschool network redefining student-centered learning. A multi-generation educator with over a decade of experience, she has also led Collegiate Academies in New Orleans, building high-performing schools focused on college success and leadership development.
Dr. Cynthia Smith
CEO/Founder, The Future Academy, Florida
Cynthia is an education entrepreneur and founder of Minds of the Future Academy in Jacksonville, Florida. A former public school educator and turnaround leader, she launched her academy to provide innovative, hands-on learning experiences that move beyond traditional models and better serve underserved communities. Her work centers on STEM/STEAM education, community transformation, and empowering students—particularly in historically under-resourced neighborhoods—to develop critical thinking skills and real-world problem-solving abilities.
OUR PAST COHORTS
