What’s in a name?
Yes, that’s a line from Shakespeare, and it may well be on the test. But for the purposes of this story, I’ll rephrase the question: “What exactly is the difference between Green Dot Schools and IOTA Community Schools?”
We’ll get to an official answer to that in a moment. First, some context.
Through the Achievement School District, California-based Green Dot Schools began operating several schools here in Memphis — among them, Fairley High, Hillcrest High, Kirby High, Wooddale Elementary and Bluff City High School.
However, when Green Dot decided to shrink its national footprint and focus on its main service areas in California, the decision was made to spin the Memphis operation off into IOTA Community Schools. “IOTA” is an acronym for innovation, opportunity, transformation and access.
One constant through it all is Joquell Rodgers, former executive director of Green Dot Schools in Memphis, and now serving in the same role with IOTA. Rodgers, with more than 24 years of experience in education, is spearheading this change with a focus on local control and community engagement.
During a wide-ranging conversation (edited below for length and clarity), Rodgers and I talked about what IOTA schools offer, what the learning priorities are and what teachers and students can expect. She started by explaining . . . well, what’s in a name:
Lee Eric Smith: Let’s dive into “IOTA.” How would you describe the relationship between Green Dot and IOTA? Is it the same organization just branded differently?
Jocquell Rodgers: No. Green Dot started in California and decided to expand around 2012. They were invited to Memphis to be part of the Achievement School District. Green Dot Public Schools Tennessee came here about 10 years ago, beginning with Fairley High School, and expanded to five schools. The national organization decided to end their expansion efforts last year. We could either cease to exist or continue as a local entity. We chose to become IOTA Community Schools, fully local. All operations, from finance to IT, are now handled by our own team in Memphis.
Smith: Why is it important to have in-office access to those functions?
Rodgers: Our funding comes from state and federal sources, just like other public schools. It’s crucial to manage these funds responsibly, ensuring every dollar is used effectively to benefit our students. Local control means we can respond faster and more appropriately to our community’s needs. We have our own finance and accounting team, data people, and IT staff all in-house, which makes a huge difference in how we operate.
Smith: How are parents reacting to the transition from Green Dot to IOTA?
Rodgers: They’re curious, right? They often ask, “What’s the difference?” But their main concerns are whether the same staff will be there. “Is Dr. Johnson still going to be the principal at Kirby?” Yes, Dr. Johnson will still be at Kirby. “Will Mr. Ramirez still be here if I need some translations done?” “Will Ms. Reed still be teaching English?”
Parents care more about the people and programs their children are involved in rather than the name of the organization. They want to ensure continuity and that their children’s educational experience remains positive.
Smith: What are some key programs at IOTA, and why were they chosen?
Rodgers: We haven’t shifted away from STEM, but we’ve added other aspects to education. At Wooddale, for example, we have an aviation program. One of our students even went to Florida for the summer to get his pilot’s license. We offer hands-on experiences like flight simulators and airport visits. We also have partnerships with TVA and Nike, providing internships and mentoring programs. Students interested in music can learn podcasting and music production through our partnership with Young Content Creators. We aim to provide paths for both college-bound students and those entering the workforce immediately. We want to ensure that no matter what trajectory a student is on, they are prepared and have opportunities to succeed.
Smith: How do your core values and guiding principles show up in daily school life?
Rodgers: Our core values—relationships, accountability, determination, and justice—were developed collaboratively with input from our entire school community. We focus on building strong relationships with students and families, ensuring accountability and excellence in everything we do, and fostering a sense of justice and equity. For example, we believe in speaking openly and honestly, respecting each individual’s experiences, and taking full ownership of our actions and learning. These values guide how we engage with our school community daily, not just academically but socially and emotionally as well.
Smith: How do you engage parents at IOTA?
Rodgers: Engaging parents is crucial. We do everything possible to engage them, including virtual meetings, workshops, and providing resources through partnerships. We have bilingual staff to communicate effectively with our Spanish-speaking families. We also have social workers providing wraparound services. For example, if parents need help with resumes or interview preparation, we offer workshops. We even provide health services through partnerships with local organizations like Livestock. We remove barriers to engagement by meeting parents where they are and offering support in various ways.
Smith: What’s one example of how you’ve adapted to meet students’ needs?
Rodgers: We survey our students to understand their interests. For instance, at Wooddale, aviation has been a focus for years. We had a young man who went to Florida to get his pilot’s license. Students participate in various aviation-related activities, including airport visits and air traffic control experiences. We aim to give them real-world exposure and opportunities they wouldn’t otherwise have. We also have programs in supply chain management and cybersecurity, reflecting the needs and interests of our students and the job market.
Smith: Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Rodgers: We’re excited for the new school year starting August 5th. We’re currently enrolling students and offering transportation services.
If parents mention this article in the Tri-State Defender, they’ll receive three free uniform shirts when they register. We encourage families to visit our campuses, take a tour, and see what we have to offer. Our goal is to provide the best possible education and opportunities for all our students!
