Charlane Suarez, Ed.S.
Charlane Suarez, Ed.S., is an accomplished educator and certified Assistant Principal candidate with nearly three decades of experience shaping student achievement and fostering teacher leadership in PreK–8 education. Currently serving as Reading and Language Arts Department Chair and middle school teacher in the public school system, Charlane has consistently demonstrated expertise in literacy instruction, curriculum development, and data-driven educational strategies. Her leadership extends beyond the classroom through roles such as twice Elected School Governance Council representative, PBIS behavioral lead, and continuous achievement lead, where she has successfully guided school-wide initiatives that improve both academic and social-emotional outcomes for diverse student populations. Throughout her career, Charlane has led transformative programs that address learning gaps and elevate student performance. She has spearheaded interventions that resulted in significant reading growth for ESOL students, coordinated accelerated curriculum for gifted learners, and developed after-school and summer programs supporting hundreds of students. Her approach emphasizes equity, collaborative culture-building, and personalized learning, ensuring that every student receives high-quality instruction while educators receive the support and professional development needed to thrive. Charlane’s professional philosophy is grounded in empathy, kindness, and a commitment to seeing and meeting the whole child. She draws inspiration from mentors and colleagues, including Vera Woods and Jan Abbott, whose dedication to education and student well-being have shaped her own leadership approach. With advanced degrees and certifications, including a Specialist in Advanced Educational Studies (Ed.S.), Charlane is now seeking to expand her impact in K–12 administration, bringing strategic vision, operational expertise, and a student-centered ethos to school leadership roles.
• Gifted Endorsement P-12
• ESOL Endorsement P-12
• Georgia Professional Standards Commission
• Special Education General Curriculum - Cognitive Level and Consultative P-12
• Elementary Education Certification
• Educational Leadership Certificate
• Middle Grades ELA
• Reading
• Science
• Social Studies
• High School English
• Augusta University – Specialist Degree, Advanced Educational Studies
• University of West Georgia – Tier One Educational Leadership Certification
• Bachelor’s Degree
• Influential Women 2026
• School Governance Council
• La Amistad
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to bringing my whole self—heart, soul, and experience—to my work every day. I focus on understanding the whole child, meeting students where they are academically and developmentally, and fostering supportive, collaborative environments for both staff and learners.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received comes not only from guidance but also from the people who have inspired me along the way. I want to highlight Vera Woods, a lifelong educator who retired after 30 years of teaching and now works with La Amistad, a nonprofit where I’ve had the privilege of serving as a reading specialist. Through La Amistad, we support the Hispanic community by providing after-school programs for children—whether they are newcomers or still in ESL—helping them overcome literacy challenges and gain confidence in their learning.
I also want to recognize my friend Jan Abbott, a therapist who has spent over 20 years supporting children with extraordinary needs within the school system and now continues her work virtually through her own practice. Jan has been an incredible resource and inspiration to me, showing what it means to combine expertise, compassion, and dedication over the long term. Both Vera and Jan have profoundly influenced how I approach teaching, leadership, and service in education.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Make sure you're not entering this career field because you are seeking financial gain. You need to be in tune with your own gifts, skills, and talents. Teaching requires bringing everything about yourself—heart, mind, and soul—because you are literally responsible for educating the whole child.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Cognitive overload among teachers is a system-level issue that extends beyond individual burnout. The way schools are designed often asks educators to perform the impossible, leading to capacity challenges. There is an urgent need to discuss these systemic issues and provide supports and resources for teachers to succeed sustainably.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The ability to truly see people; empathy and kindness; being a light for others; and lifting people up through simple acts of care and connection.