Jason Sample is a man whose life is dedicated to education and community development. From working in the former Grant School District, where he helped launch student support programs, to his role as Superintendent of Gateway Community Charters, he has consistently aimed to create equal opportunities for all students. In this interview, Jason shares key moments from his journey, his unique approach to leadership, and his vision for the future of education that blends innovation, tradition, and a commitment to equity.
Superintendent Mr. Sample, could you share a memorable story from your upbringing that shaped your passion for education and community development?
Growing up and education was a transformative force in my life. My parents, who were educators, instilled in me a deep commitment to improving my community through education. One particularly memorable experience was when I started working in the former Grant School District. In partnership with the Mutual Assistance Network of Del Paso Heights, we launched a dropout prevention program at MLK Jr. High and Grant High called Operation Graduation. We introduced a peer mentoring program for junior high and high school students. As the Program Coordinator, I had the privilege of mentoring the high school student mentors. One of my mentees, who faced significant academic and personal challenges, demonstrated the profound impact of guidance, encouragement, and access in transforming a student's outlook. This experience shaped my passion for education and inspired my commitment to fostering a supportive community where every individual has the opportunity to thrive.
Superintendent Mr. Sample, could you share a memorable story from your upbringing that shaped your passion for education and community development?
Growing up and education was a transformative force in my life. My parents, who were educators, instilled in me a deep commitment to improving my community through education. One particularly memorable experience was when I started working in the former Grant School District. In partnership with the Mutual Assistance Network of Del Paso Heights, we launched a dropout prevention program at MLK Jr. High and Grant High called Operation Graduation. We introduced a peer mentoring program for junior high and high school students. As the Program Coordinator, I had the privilege of mentoring the high school student mentors. One of my mentees, who faced significant academic and personal challenges, demonstrated the profound impact of guidance, encouragement, and access in transforming a student's outlook. This experience shaped my passion for education and inspired my commitment to fostering a supportive community where every individual has the opportunity to thrive.
You have a unique background in both education and nonprofit work. How has this combination influenced your approach as Superintendent at GCC?
My dual experience uniquely influences my leadership approach at Gateway in education and nonprofit work. This combination has instilled in me a holistic approach to leadership. Nonprofit work taught me to maximize limited resources and prioritize mission-driven initiatives and a sense of community building, while my educational background has kept me focused on student outcomes. At Gateway, these perspectives have allowed us to implement programs and services that are innovative yet based on the needs of the communities we serve. When schools see themselves as part of the fabric of the communities they reside in, you will see positive school and academic outcomes and improve the economic outcomes of a community, from lower crime rates to increased service offerings. One of the initiatives I am proud we are implementing at Gateway Community Charters is our Community Schools Partnership Program. This initiative allows us to integrate community support into education by providing wraparound services that help students and families academically and personally.
Superintendent Mr. Sample, what inspired you to transition into education leadership, and was there a defining moment that made you realize this was your calling?
During my early career in leadership, I noticed the systemic challenges that hindered student success. I decided to run for school board and change the system from a policy and leadership role. After serving for 4 years as an elected official, I joined the board for Gateway Charters and later left the board to join the staff as the Director of Community Engagement. After serving in various roles, I eventually became the Superintendent/CEO following the retirement of the organization’s founder. A pivotal moment came when a former student returned to thank me for academic support and believing in their potential. I then realized the profound impact of leadership in creating equitable opportunities for all students. This moment reinforced my resolve to champion the principles outlined in the Portrait of a GCC Graduate on a systemic level.
My dual experience uniquely influences my leadership approach at Gateway in education and nonprofit work. This combination has instilled in me a holistic approach to leadership. Nonprofit work taught me to maximize limited resources and prioritize mission-driven initiatives and a sense of community building, while my educational background has kept me focused on student outcomes. At Gateway, these perspectives have allowed us to implement programs and services that are innovative yet based on the needs of the communities we serve. When schools see themselves as part of the fabric of the communities they reside in, you will see positive school and academic outcomes and improve the economic outcomes of a community, from lower crime rates to increased service offerings. One of the initiatives I am proud we are implementing at Gateway Community Charters is our Community Schools Partnership Program. This initiative allows us to integrate community support into education by providing wraparound services that help students and families academically and personally.
Superintendent Mr. Sample, what inspired you to transition into education leadership, and was there a defining moment that made you realize this was your calling?
During my early career in leadership, I noticed the systemic challenges that hindered student success. I decided to run for school board and change the system from a policy and leadership role. After serving for 4 years as an elected official, I joined the board for Gateway Charters and later left the board to join the staff as the Director of Community Engagement. After serving in various roles, I eventually became the Superintendent/CEO following the retirement of the organization’s founder. A pivotal moment came when a former student returned to thank me for academic support and believing in their potential. I then realized the profound impact of leadership in creating equitable opportunities for all students. This moment reinforced my resolve to champion the principles outlined in the Portrait of a GCC Graduate on a systemic level.
How do you balance innovation and tradition when making decisions that impact GCC’s students and staff?
At Gateway, we believe in a student-centered approach that balances innovation and tradition. We respect and uphold traditions that strengthen our community's identity while also embracing forward-thinking strategies that prepare our students for the future. We integrate cutting-edge technology to enhance learning, but we also prioritize foundational skills like critical thinking and effective communication, which are key elements of the Portrait of a GCC Graduate. Most importantly, we rely on our talented staff, who work directly with our students daily. These individuals not only make an impact in our classrooms but also in our community. As an organization, we firmly believe that everyone can innovate and create opportunities for our students.
Superintendent Mr. Sample, what is your ultimate vision for Gateway Community Charters, and how do you plan to make this vision a reality over the next decade?
My vision is for Gateway and our schools to be known as organizations that offer an equitable and innovative educational approach and have a heart of service for our community. I want us to ensure that every graduate exemplifies the traits outlined in the Portrait of a GCC Graduate by leaving our doors as Academically, Workforce and College-Ready, Life-Ready, Global Citizens, Productive Citizens, and Reflective Citizens.
Over the next decade, we plan to achieve this by:
• Expanding access to personalized learning opportunities.
• Strengthening partnerships with local industries and businesses to provide career pathways.
• Investing in professional development to equip our educators with the tools to inspire and innovate.
• Creating inclusive environments that celebrate diversity and foster belonging.
• Partner with our community and build the region's economic development.
At Gateway, we believe in a student-centered approach that balances innovation and tradition. We respect and uphold traditions that strengthen our community's identity while also embracing forward-thinking strategies that prepare our students for the future. We integrate cutting-edge technology to enhance learning, but we also prioritize foundational skills like critical thinking and effective communication, which are key elements of the Portrait of a GCC Graduate. Most importantly, we rely on our talented staff, who work directly with our students daily. These individuals not only make an impact in our classrooms but also in our community. As an organization, we firmly believe that everyone can innovate and create opportunities for our students.
Superintendent Mr. Sample, what is your ultimate vision for Gateway Community Charters, and how do you plan to make this vision a reality over the next decade?
My vision is for Gateway and our schools to be known as organizations that offer an equitable and innovative educational approach and have a heart of service for our community. I want us to ensure that every graduate exemplifies the traits outlined in the Portrait of a GCC Graduate by leaving our doors as Academically, Workforce and College-Ready, Life-Ready, Global Citizens, Productive Citizens, and Reflective Citizens.
Over the next decade, we plan to achieve this by:
• Expanding access to personalized learning opportunities.
• Strengthening partnerships with local industries and businesses to provide career pathways.
• Investing in professional development to equip our educators with the tools to inspire and innovate.
• Creating inclusive environments that celebrate diversity and foster belonging.
• Partner with our community and build the region's economic development.
The education landscape is constantly evolving. What is the biggest challenge for charter schools today, and how is GCC addressing this?
One of the biggest challenges is bridging the opportunity gap while maintaining high standards of innovation. At Gateway, we address this by leveraging data-driven insights to identify and address disparities, collaborating with community stakeholders, and ensuring that every decision aligns with our commitment and promise to our students and families. Another challenge that charter schools face is a lack of equitable funding. We constantly have to do more with less since we receive less funding than traditional public schools. At GCC, we have worked hard to use the funds we receive to impact results for students.
Equity in education is a cornerstone of your mission. What specific strategies are you implementing to ensure that every student at GCC has access to equal opportunities and resources?
At Gateway, we believe that every student deserves the resources and support needed to succeed. I am proud of our teachers and staff's daily efforts to make this belief a reality. All of our schools offer high-quality programs. Our special populations already outscore the state average, and our one-year high school graduation rate is impressive. Every day, we work to ensure that we create access and opportunities for all students. As we continue to build on this mission, some of the Specific strategies we implement include:
•Hiring linguistically and culturally competent teachers and staff who reflect the communities we serve.
•Providing access to technology for all students through one-to-one device programs.
•Offering targeted support services such as counseling, tutoring, and English language instruction.
•Partnering with community organizations to address socioeconomic barriers.
•Designing a curriculum that reflects diverse perspectives and fosters a sense of identity and belonging.
One of the biggest challenges is bridging the opportunity gap while maintaining high standards of innovation. At Gateway, we address this by leveraging data-driven insights to identify and address disparities, collaborating with community stakeholders, and ensuring that every decision aligns with our commitment and promise to our students and families. Another challenge that charter schools face is a lack of equitable funding. We constantly have to do more with less since we receive less funding than traditional public schools. At GCC, we have worked hard to use the funds we receive to impact results for students.
Equity in education is a cornerstone of your mission. What specific strategies are you implementing to ensure that every student at GCC has access to equal opportunities and resources?
At Gateway, we believe that every student deserves the resources and support needed to succeed. I am proud of our teachers and staff's daily efforts to make this belief a reality. All of our schools offer high-quality programs. Our special populations already outscore the state average, and our one-year high school graduation rate is impressive. Every day, we work to ensure that we create access and opportunities for all students. As we continue to build on this mission, some of the Specific strategies we implement include:
•Hiring linguistically and culturally competent teachers and staff who reflect the communities we serve.
•Providing access to technology for all students through one-to-one device programs.
•Offering targeted support services such as counseling, tutoring, and English language instruction.
•Partnering with community organizations to address socioeconomic barriers.
•Designing a curriculum that reflects diverse perspectives and fosters a sense of identity and belonging.
Building strong partnerships is essential for a school district's success. How are you engaging parents, community leaders, and local organizations to strengthen GCC’s impact?
Engagement is the cornerstone of our success. We recognize the invaluable role of parents, community leaders, and local organizations in strengthening Gateway’s impact. That's why we’ve established the GCC Foundation, Community Business Advisory Council, Faith Leaders Council, Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council, and Parent Partners. These groups provide parents and community members a voice in decision-making, ensuring they play an integral role in our success. Additionally, we actively seek collaboration with local businesses and nonprofits to offer internships, mentorships, and resources, recognizing that our collective efforts make our community thrive.
Are there any upcoming programs, technologies, or initiatives you’re particularly excited about implementing at GCC to enhance the student experience?
Gateway continues to provide extensive support for our English Learners, refugee students, and families. Serving the unique needs of English Learner students and families has been core to our programs and schools and our work with our communities. We are also excited to launch our work with Artificial intelligence (AI). Gateway is at the forefront of integrating AI-driven tools to personalize instruction for every student and improve student outcomes. Additionally, we’re expanding our career and technical education programs to include emerging fields like green energy and technology. These initiatives align with our commitment to producing innovative, adaptable graduates ready to succeed in a rapidly changing world.
Engagement is the cornerstone of our success. We recognize the invaluable role of parents, community leaders, and local organizations in strengthening Gateway’s impact. That's why we’ve established the GCC Foundation, Community Business Advisory Council, Faith Leaders Council, Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council, and Parent Partners. These groups provide parents and community members a voice in decision-making, ensuring they play an integral role in our success. Additionally, we actively seek collaboration with local businesses and nonprofits to offer internships, mentorships, and resources, recognizing that our collective efforts make our community thrive.
Are there any upcoming programs, technologies, or initiatives you’re particularly excited about implementing at GCC to enhance the student experience?
Gateway continues to provide extensive support for our English Learners, refugee students, and families. Serving the unique needs of English Learner students and families has been core to our programs and schools and our work with our communities. We are also excited to launch our work with Artificial intelligence (AI). Gateway is at the forefront of integrating AI-driven tools to personalize instruction for every student and improve student outcomes. Additionally, we’re expanding our career and technical education programs to include emerging fields like green energy and technology. These initiatives align with our commitment to producing innovative, adaptable graduates ready to succeed in a rapidly changing world.
Superintendent Mr. Sample, when you reflect on your career at GCC, what achievements would you like to be remembered for, and how will you measure your success as Superintendent?
All Gateway educators and I hope to be remembered for building a culture of connection, partnership with parents and communities, innovation, and excellence. Our students' outcomes will measure our success—not just in academic achievement but in how they embody the values of the Portrait of a GCC Graduate. Whether they pursue higher education, enter the workforce, or engage in community leadership, our students' success and impact on the community and world will be the ultimate testament to our work.
All Gateway educators and I hope to be remembered for building a culture of connection, partnership with parents and communities, innovation, and excellence. Our students' outcomes will measure our success—not just in academic achievement but in how they embody the values of the Portrait of a GCC Graduate. Whether they pursue higher education, enter the workforce, or engage in community leadership, our students' success and impact on the community and world will be the ultimate testament to our work.