#83 Penn Hills Charter School for Entrepreneurship | Valerie Nance

In this episode of the Charter School Connection Podcast, Jenna sits down with Valerie Nance, Chief People Officer at Penn Hills Charter School of Entrepreneurship in Pittsburgh, PA, to discuss her unique journey into human resources and how she found her place in the education world. Valerie shares how an unexpected career shift led her into charter schools, where she has spent the past eight years growing within her organization—from an HR coordinator role to a leadership position. She highlights the importance of people-first leadership, emphasizing how investing in staff, fostering strong culture, and building meaningful relationships can transform an entire school community. The conversation dives into what makes Penn Hills truly stand out, including its entrepreneurship-focused model and innovative micro-society approach, where students take on real-world roles like running businesses, managing finances, and even participating in judicial processes. Valerie explains how these experiences help students develop confidence, communication skills, and lifelong lessons at an early age. Jenna and Valerie also explore: How strong school culture and community involvement drive student and staff success Creative and intentional hiring practices that prioritize cultural fit and student connection The importance of networking and collaboration within the charter school space Challenges that come with growth—and how to maintain engagement during times of change The school’s exciting vision to expand into a high school in the near future Valerie shares thoughtful insights on leadership, continuous learning, and the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people—both within your organization and through external networks. The episode wraps up with impactful advice for school leaders: invest in your people. Valerie emphasizes that supporting and developing your team is one of the most powerful ways to create lasting success for both staff and students. Show Notes: Penn Hills Charter School for Entrepreneurship https://phcharter.org/ “Pushout: The Criminalization of Black Girls in Schools” by Monique Couvson https://a.co/d/016Ql46A “We Are Crew: A Teamwork Approach to School Culture” by Ron Berger https://a.co/d/0j2pp0AJ