Fighting for Kids: Battles to Create a Public Charter School

There is nothing more critical to a child's success in life than a quality edu- cation. Jane Watt's triumph in establishing the Marco Island Academy is evi- dence that one passionate leader can ignite true systemic change. Fighting for Kids is a moving story that I hope encourages more people around the nation to follow Jane's example by challenging the status quo and fighting to improve and expand educational options for American families.

Governor Jeb Bush

Jane Watt's book, Fighting for Kids, will touch an emotional chord with everyone who reads it. Her work to establish the Marco Island Academy and provide a better option for the children in her community takes read- ers on an incredible journey. It offers a rare view into the struggle against entrenched political forces, and the personal attacks and political road- blocks thrown at those who dare to challenge the status quo in education.

Ultimately this is a story of sacrifice and triumph, a story of uncommon love, perseverance and hope. It is a testament that a small-town girl who becomes a "mom on a mission" can move heaven and earth for her cause.

As a mother, and as someone who faces similar resistance and adversity in the fight to transform our public education system, I found this book to be a refreshingly honest assessment of much of what's wrong and what's right about our current system.

Jane's experience not only informs the reader, but it has the power to inspire others who find themselves similarly dissatisfied with the schools available to their children. It sends a clear message, that despite the chal- lenges, one person can quite literally change the world for individual stu- dents and families. One person with vision and determination can rally others to a just cause and open doors of opportunity through better educa- tion that would otherwise be barred.

Jane's story is extraordinary and uncommon, but it doesn't have to be. Each of us is capable of more good than we realize. Each of us has the power to overcome obstacles in our paths, to draw on unseen strength from within, and to touch the lives of those around us.

When Jane Watt began her journey, she saw herself as an ordinary mother, but it wasn't long before she was rallying political heavyweights and the neighbors next door to support her worthy endeavor of improving our country's education system, even if it is just one mom, and one school at a time.

Fighting for Kids, is more than the title of this book. It's a choice we can all make to defend those whose interests and voices are often disregarded

in the halls of power. It is a commitment to give all we can for the hope of

our future and for the hope of our children.

Michelle Rhee Founder / CEO StudentsFirst

Jane Watt is a leader. Despite the hurdles and personal vilification she encountered, I found Jane to be exceptionally focused on the objective of getting the school approved. She displayed incredible persistence, deter- mination, passionate commitment combined with an unbelievable work ethic of 24/7/365 for the school while being a wife and mother for three young children. And, she wasn't monetarily compensated for these efforts.

At the request of Gayle Thawley I first met with Jane Watt. During the meeting, Jane described the vision of the school and the many challenges her team of volunteers and she were dealing with in an effort to have the creation and start-up of Marco Island Academy approved by the district. She described the numerous bureaucratic hurdles the school district was imposing, how the local off-island, public high principal had all but declared war to prevent Marco Island Academy from being approved and how a small, but vocal, number of island residents were publicizing their objection to the creation and location of a public charter high school on the island. Plus, Jane added, "We have no money, but would you like to he

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