At the UT Charter School Pathfinders campus, located at the Burke Center for Youth in Driftwood, learning often happens far beyond the classroom walls. Located on a real ranch with an impressive new greenhouse, students gain real-world experience in vocational education and responsibility. But among the ranch’s most impactful programs,… read more 

When the National Alternative Education Association (NAEA) convened its annual conference in October 2025, UT University Charter School (UTUCS) took center stage to present “Strategies for Supporting Students with Special Services in a Virtual Setting.” Superintendent Nicole Whetstone, Success Coach Ashley Johnson, Special Programs Director Janina Roberts, and Academic and… read more 

Nicole Whetstone is superintendent for the UT Charter School System which includes UT Elementary School and UT University Charter School, that has 24 sites statewide at hospitals and rehabilitation and treatment centers. Whetstone has spent most of her life as a South Austinite. She earned her doctorate in Special Education… read more 

UT University Charter School (UTUCS) is proud to welcome Carlos Guerra as our new College & Career Education Transition Coordinator, a role dedicated to guiding students toward meaningful and achievable post‑secondary pathways. With over a decade of experience in education—including eight impactful years teaching at our Pathfinders and Kozmetzky campuses—Carlos… read more 

When Londen Bickham arrived at Methodist Children’s Home (MCH) in the summer of 2019 as a sixth grader from New Orleans’ 9th Ward, he was a “little shrub” on the JV team, confused and adjusting to an unfamiliar world. Seven years later, the senior signed to play Division I football… read more 

UT Charter School System recently introduced the Whole Child Champion Award to celebrate educators who embody trauma‑informed practices and create learning environments where every student feels safe, valued, and supported.  The award was initiated by School Social Work Coordinator Andrea Menchaca, LMSW, who saw a need to honor teachers who… read more 

UT University Charter School (UT Charter) partners with a variety of facility partners across Texas to provide education for youth in their care. Our facility partners include long-term placements for children in Residential Treatment Centers where the majority of students have experienced trauma from abuse or neglect. UT Charter trains… read more 

Students at the Settlement Home, a residential treatment facility, in Austin, Texas, aren’t typical teenagers worried about homecoming dances or the latest social media trends. These are young women, ages 12 to 19, under the care of Child Protective Services, all carrying histories of trauma that would break most adults.… read more 

On January 5, UT Charter School System (UTUCS) faculty came together for a dynamic “Teach and Share” professional development event, coordinated by Veronica Ruiz, Ph.D., director of Academics and Professional Development. Ruiz explained: “The Teach and Share session was designed to foster collaboration among our educators by creating a space… read more 

Empowered to Lead: How Professional Development Shaped a Career in IT In 1999, Lori Moore began her career with the UT Charter School District as an instructional aide at the Austin Recovery Center (ARC)—the district’s very first campus. What started as a support role quickly evolved into a remarkable journey… read more