We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Dr. Shanate Porter. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Dr. Shanate below.
Alright, Dr. Shanate thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Alright, so you had your idea and then what happened? Can you walk us through the story of how you went from just an idea to executing on the idea
As the founder of SCALE Academy, the journey from idea to execution began with a very personal realization during my work in education and student support. As a school counselor, I saw firsthand that many students were academically capable, but they lacked the emotional support, life skills, mentorship, and real-world preparation needed to truly thrive beyond graduation. I kept asking myself: What would a school look like if it intentionally developed the whole child — academically, emotionally, socially, and professionally? That question became the foundation of SCALE Academy.
At first, the vision was simply notes, conversations, and ideas written down during late nights after work. I began researching successful charter school models, studying Georgia charter requirements, and identifying gaps in traditional education systems. I spent time thinking deeply about what students would actually need in the future workforce and in life — adaptability, emotional intelligence, leadership, financial literacy, and confidence — not just test scores.
The next step was turning the vision into something tangible. I started building the mission, core values, and educational framework for the school. I had to figure out everything from governance structures to curriculum alignment, student support services, budgeting, staffing, and compliance requirements. I researched the charter authorization process in Georgia, attended informational meetings, and connected with people who had experience in education leadership and nonprofit development.
As the vision grew, so did the opportunities to strengthen my leadership and understanding of charter school development. In August 2025, I was accepted as a fellow in the O180 Fellowship program and also became a fellow with the Georgia Charter Schools Association. Those experiences were pivotal because they connected me with mentors, educational leaders, and resources that helped transform the vision from an idea into a strategic and actionable plan. Through those fellowships, I gained deeper insight into school governance, operational planning, community engagement, and sustainable school leadership.
One of the biggest shifts happened when I realized the vision could not stay in my head — it needed structure. That led me to begin forming the organization legally and operationally. I worked on establishing nonprofit documentation, preparing 501(c)(3) materials, creating proposals, drafting presentations, and developing a strategic plan for the school’s future. At the same time, I was building a board, seeking community support, and learning how to communicate the vision clearly to stakeholders.
There were many moments that required problem-solving and persistence. Some days looked like researching policies and writing organizational documents for hours. Other days involved designing branding, planning community engagement events, developing budgets, or creating presentations for families and supporters. I had to learn how to balance vision with execution — understanding that passion alone was not enough. Systems, timelines, partnerships, and sustainability all mattered.
The meet-and-greet events and community conversations became major milestones because they transformed the idea from something personal into something shared with the community. Hearing parents, educators, and supporters respond positively confirmed that the need was real and that the mission resonated with others.
Over time, the process became less about simply “starting a school” and more about building a movement centered around student growth, opportunity, and long-term impact. Every document created, every meeting attended, every challenge solved, and every conversation held became another brick in the foundation of SCALE Academy.
Today, the vision continues to evolve, but the mission remains the same: creating a learning environment where students cultivate adaptable life skills, emotional intelligence, academic excellence, and career readiness so they are fully prepared for college, career, and life.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My journey in education began long before I officially entered the profession. I started working with children at just 15 years old, and from that point on, I knew that supporting and developing young people would always be part of my purpose. After college, I became a Pre-K teacher, where I developed a deep appreciation for the importance of early childhood education and the impact that strong foundations can have on a child’s confidence, learning, and future success.
As my career progressed, I had the opportunity to work closely with affluent families of students with autism and other specialized learning needs. That experience was both rewarding and eye-opening. I saw what was possible when families had access to quality educational resources, personalized support systems, enrichment opportunities, advocacy, and strong school partnerships. At the same time, I also saw the painful discrepancy between what was available to affluent families and what was accessible to families with lower socioeconomic status. Many students with incredible potential simply did not have the same level of opportunity, support, or educational choice because of their zip code or financial circumstances.
That realization changed me. It became clear that education should not be a privilege reserved for a select few. Every child deserves access to a safe, innovative, supportive, and high-quality learning environment regardless of income level or background. That belief ultimately led me to found SCALE Academy.
SCALE Academy was created with the vision of developing the whole child academically, emotionally, socially, and professionally. Our mission is not only to prepare students for college, but also for career and life. We focus heavily on adaptability, emotional intelligence, leadership development, career readiness, life skills, and real-world application because students need more than academics to succeed in today’s world.
What sets me apart is that my work is rooted in both professional experience and lived observation. I have worked across multiple educational settings and with students from vastly different backgrounds, which has allowed me to see both the strengths and the inequities within our educational systems. I approach education through a lens of compassion, access, and empowerment. I understand that many families are searching for more than just a school — they are searching for opportunity, support, community, and hope for their children’s future.
In January 2025, I was selected as a fellow in the O180 Fellowship program, and in August 2025, I became a fellow with the Georgia Charter Schools Association. These experiences further strengthened my leadership, expanded my understanding of charter school development, and connected me with mentors and educational leaders who continue to help shape the vision for SCALE Academy.
One of the things I am most proud of is that SCALE Academy was not created simply as a business idea — it was built from years of experience, observation, service, and genuine passion for children and families. Every step of this journey has been intentional, from building community relationships to designing student-centered programming that prioritizes both academic excellence and emotional well-being.
I want families, supporters, and community members to know that SCALE Academy is deeply mission-driven. We are committed to creating opportunities for students who may otherwise be overlooked and providing families with quality educational choices that empower their children to thrive. I want people to know that our work is about impact, transformation, and legacy. It is about helping students cultivate adaptable life skills, emotional intelligence, confidence, and purpose so they can succeed not only in school, but in life.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
A major lesson I had to unlearn was fear. Four years ago, I made the decision to move to Las Vegas without knowing anyone there. That experience pushed me far outside of my comfort zone, but it ultimately became one of the most transformative seasons of my life both personally and professionally.
Because of my passion for education and student advocacy, many opportunities opened up throughout my time there. I was able to see firsthand how educational systems can be both supportive and, at times, ineffective when it comes to preparing students beyond the classroom. Those experiences expanded my perspective and strengthened my leadership abilities. I had opportunities to lead, grow, and develop skills that I now bring back to my hometown in Georgia.
Returning to Georgia was another leap of faith. I made the decision to focus full-time on building the charter school, fully understanding that the journey would not be easy financially or personally. Entrepreneurship in education requires sacrifice, persistence, and unwavering belief in the mission. However, I truly believe that great sacrifice can yield great results, especially when the purpose is bigger than yourself. Every risk I have taken has been rooted in my commitment to creating better opportunities and equitable educational experiences for students and families.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
What has helped build my reputation in the education world has been consistency and a willingness to advocate for students, even when those conversations were uncomfortable. Throughout my career, I have remained committed to ensuring students receive honest, meaningful, and impactful learning experiences. One experience that deeply shaped my perspective involved teaching a Black history lesson that included historical footage containing racial slurs. I was written up for using the material, despite the educational context and the importance of exposing students to the raw realities of history.
As educators, we understand that authentic historical context creates deeper understanding and helps prevent the repetition of past injustices. I stood firmly in my belief that students deserve opportunities to critically engage with history rather than receive watered-down versions of it. That experience showed me that the issue was often not students being incapable of understanding truth, but systems sometimes being overly cautious about confronting it directly.
While challenging, that moment ultimately strengthened my passion for educational equity and reinforced my desire to help build learning environments where students can think critically, engage authentically, and experience equitable, culturally responsive education. It validated my commitment to creating spaces where truth, awareness, and meaningful dialogue are viewed as essential parts of student growth and learning.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.scale-academy.org
- Instagram: @scaleacademy1
- Facebook: Scale Academy
- Linkedin: Dr. Shanate Porter
