APEX, N.C. — TMSA Public Charter Schools has officially launched the 2026–27 academic year by bringing together more than 700 teachers, administrators and support professionals for its annual Staff Kickoff, highlighting the organization’s focus on educational excellence, collaboration and student achievement across North Carolina.
Held at the TMSA Charlotte Secondary Campus in Concord, the annual event united educators and staff from across the charter school network for a day of professional learning, leadership development and cross-campus collaboration. The kickoff also featured student performances, staff recognition and keynote presentations designed to inspire employees as they prepare to welcome students for the new school year.
Academic Progress Provides Momentum for the Year Ahead
The annual gathering serves as an opportunity to align instructional priorities while reinforcing TMSA’s commitment to continuous improvement and educational excellence. School leaders used the event to reflect on the network’s recent accomplishments and outline strategic goals for the months ahead.
Superintendent Ben Karaduman opened the program by recognizing the contributions of teachers, administrators, support staff and board members to the organization’s recent academic success.
Highlighting preliminary results from the 2025–26 academic year, Karaduman said the network recorded improvements across every TMSA region, with an average increase of 5.2 percentage points in its overall proficiency rate.
He credited those gains to the dedication of educators throughout the network, stating, “The improvement we saw across every region last year did not happen by chance. It happened because of the educators and staff in this room. These results belong to them, and they are the foundation we build on this year.”
Karaduman also introduced four guiding priorities for the 2026–27 school year: Student Achievement, Continuous Improvement, Transparency and Consistency. In addition, he emphasized the importance of strengthening communication throughout the organization while expanding the use of technology and artificial intelligence to enhance teaching, learning and school operations.
Professional Learning and Collaboration Take Center Stage
A significant portion of the kickoff focused on professional development and collaboration among employees from campuses across North Carolina.
Staff members participated in cross-campus Synergy Sessions, where educators exchanged instructional strategies, shared best practices and discussed ways to provide a consistent educational experience throughout the TMSA network.
Organizers said the collaborative sessions were designed to strengthen teamwork among campuses while ensuring instructional goals remain aligned before students return for the new academic year.
Guest Speakers Inspire Educators
The event also featured several guest speakers who encouraged employees to continue growing as educators and leaders.
The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Nihat Guvercin, founder and CEO of iLearn Schools, who spoke about lifelong learning, innovation and the importance of empowering educators to make a lasting impact on students and their communities.
Motivational speaker Gabe Salazar encouraged staff members to remain connected to their personal and professional purpose, reminding educators of the lasting influence they can have on students both inside and outside the classroom.
The presentations complemented the event’s broader focus on leadership, professional growth and educational excellence.
Student Performances and Community Support Highlight the Event
In addition to professional development activities, attendees enjoyed performances by TMSA students, showcasing student talent and school spirit. The program also included a special musical performance by TMSA alumna Briana Jene’, celebrating the achievements of former students and their continued connection to the school community.
TMSA also expressed appreciation to the sponsors and community partners whose financial and in-kind support helped make the event possible. Those recognized included Hubrich Contracting, K–12 by Elior, Sellartify, Sharpe Patel CPA, SpeedPro, Kutak Rock, Gray & Creech Office Solutions, Ice Miller, Triad Educational Services, Sharity Global, GoGuardian – Pear Deck Learning, Charlotte Sign Studio, Raymond James Financial Services / Pinnacle Asset Management and individual donors.
Setting the Tone for the 2026–27 School Year
As employees return to campuses across North Carolina, school leaders said the annual Staff Kickoff established a strong foundation for the upcoming academic year by reinforcing collaboration, leadership and a shared commitment to student success.
The event concluded with the network reaffirming its theme, “United in Purpose: Together We Lead, Together We Rise,” reflecting TMSA Public Charter Schools’ goal of building on recent academic progress while continuing to foster innovation, consistency and excellence across its schools.
Enrollment for the 2026–27 school year remains open as the charter school network prepares to welcome students for another year focused on academic achievement and educational success.
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