Board Members

Dr. Kelly Van Sande

President

Dr. Kelly Van Sande is a lifelong educator with a passion for children. She lives in Charlotte, North Carolina with her husband, two children, and their dogs. She is a certified teacher, principal, and superintendent and has served in all of those roles, including teaching at the elementary, middle and high school levels in the public school setting before opening her first private school in an attempt to approach education in a new and different way. She has more than 20 years of experience in K-12 education, including more than 15 years of experience in school executive leadership. She holds a bachelor's degree in education (B.S.), a master's in teaching and curriculum leadership (M.Ed.), a master's in business administration (MBA), and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Administration (Ed.D). She is also a trained Registered Behavioral Therapist and holds additional graduate certificates.

Dr. Van Sande has been recognized as a Top-50 Trailblazing Educator  and has been invited to speak on topics related to educational choice, including at the Harvard Kennedy School Program on Educational Policy & Governance.

As a parent and educator, she has observed the needs of students and understands the traditional school system does not always meet the needs of all students. She is passionate about providing educational opportunities to students who learn differently and need to access schooling in unique ways.

Banji Denman

Secretary

Banji Denman brings over 24 years of dedicated experience in the field of education, embodying a passion for nurturing young minds and fostering environments where every student can thrive. Her journey in education began as a teacher, where for 14 years she impacted countless lives through her innovative teaching methods and commitment to personalized learning.

Recognized for her leadership and vision, Banji transitioned into the role of principal, serving for a decade with a focus on creating inclusive and supportive educational communities. Her belief in lifelong learning and the potential of every individual to achieve success shaped her approach to leadership, ensuring that each student felt valued and empowered in their educational journey.

Recently, Banji retired from her career in education to pursue a new calling in ministry. She currently serves as an Associate Pastor at Christ's Church of the Valley (CCV), where she dedicates her time to "educating" people about the boundless love of God. In this role, Banji continues to inspire and support others, drawing on her extensive experience in education to guide and uplift the community.

Banji Denman's transition from education to ministry reflects her unwavering dedication to making a difference in the lives of others, whether in the classroom or through spiritual guidance. Her commitment to personalized care and fostering growth remains a cornerstone of her service at CCV, where she continues to impact lives with compassion and purpose.

Nichole Peterson

Treasurer

Nichole earned her B.B.A. in Management Information Systems from the University of New Mexico in 2005 and later completed her Master’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources from the University of Phoenix. With over 18 years of experience, Nichole has held various positions in brick-and-mortar public and charter schools, as well as in online charter and private schools. Nichole is deeply passionate about students having a variety of educational opportunities. She is dedicated to expanding and improving educational opportunities for students and families.