Story by Jen Jordan / March 23, 2023
We are honored to announce the hiring of an Executive Director for Meeting Street Academy, a leader who will guide our community through its second decade. In this capacity, he will oversee all aspects of MSA-C, from early childhood to college.
Christopher Eide Azevedo brings a wealth of diverse experiences to the role. He is an award-winning middle school math teacher, a social entrepreneur who has started and led organizations that challenge the educational status quo, an advocate who has both lobbied government officials and worked within government to make it better, and a Head Administrator at one of the country’s historic public charter schools.
In his most recent role as Head Administrator at the Turquoise Trail School, one of the oldest schools of its kind in America, he steered the campus through the pandemic, built a standalone hybrid academy, developed an early childhood education program for 3-year olds, and developed a middle school campus. The school’s graduating 8th graders outpaced the state and local district by double digits in all subjects.
Along the way, he founded and coached “Coyote Chess”, re-centered the school model on deep arts integration, and raised over $1M in additional funds. He designed the concept and raised funds for the “Success Coyote”, a new staff member who supports all students as they transition to high school, to ensure that all graduates hit the top 10% of their freshman class no matter where they attend. Recently, his scholars researched and presented a lengthy report and budget to members of the New Mexico State Legislature with a request of $250,000 for a new playground, which was subsequently funded.
Now in his third decade as an educator, Mr. Eide Azevedo has taught in traditional and public charter schools in Houston, New York City, and Seattle. While in Seattle he founded the advocacy group Teachers United and taught educational policy at the college level at the University of Washington. He later led national policy efforts across several states at Teach Plus, an organization that exists to amplify teacher voice. Along the way, he was named a Pahara-Aspen Institute Fellow and a member of the Royal Society of the Arts and the British-American Project.
Mr. Eide Azevedo earned undergraduate college degrees in chemistry and philosophy from University of Washington, and later earned a master’s degree in education policy and management from Harvard University. Recently, he was a member of the inaugural cohort of EdLEADers at Stanford University. Outside of work, he loves to play music, cook, sail boats, fly planes, and hike the country with his wife, Kit, and their dog, Mouse.
Join a community of incredible, passionate people working to change the lives of our students. Our compensation and benefits are a cut above the rest: the most competitive total compensation in the region.
Start Your Career!Meeting Street Schools (MSS) is an innovative non-profit where schools, families, and the community collaborate to create environments where all children can achieve their full potential. With a network of schools across South Carolina, including MSA-Charleston (Charleston, SC), MSA-Spartanburg (Spartanburg, SC), MS-Brentwood (North Charleston, SC), MS-Burns (North Charleston, SC), and MS-Jasper & Beaufort (Jasper, SC), we are committed to providing students with the rigorous education they deserve.
Founded on the principle that every child deserves an excellent education regardless of their socio-economic background, Meeting Street Schools has been a beacon of hope and a testament to what's possible in education. Our schools are driven by a strong focus on student achievement, evidence-based instruction, and relentless support of our students and their families.
While united by our shared mission, each MSS campus, is unique in its character, tapping into the local spirit of the communities they serve. Explore each of our schools and discover how they're creating a brighter future for students in South Carolina.
Nestled in the heart of Charleston, South Carolina, MSA Charleston is more than just a school—it’s a hub for innovative learning and community engagement. As part of the Meeting Street Schools network, MSA Charleston embodies a commitment to excellence through its rigorous academic programs, inclusive culture, and focus on developing the whole child. With a curriculum that emphasizes both academic and personal growth, MSA Charleston prepares students to be curious learners and active citizens of their community.
MSA Spartanburg stands as a pillar of educational innovation in the Spartanburg community. The school’s dedicated educators and supportive learning environment ensure that each child receives a high-quality, personalized education with exceptional faculty and teachers. MSA Spartanburg is distinguished by its emphasis on community partnership, fostering relationships that extend beyond the classroom to build a strong foundation for lifelong learning and success.
MS Brentwood is a place where education meets opportunity. Serving the Brentwood area, this school is a testament to the transformative power of education. With a student-centered approach that celebrates diversity and encourages excellence, MS Brentwood is dedicated to equipping students with the skills they need to thrive in the 21st century. MS Brentwood also serves as a hub for the Brentwood community to access educational and wellness services. The school’s commitment to innovation, coupled with a warm, welcoming environment, makes it a standout in the MSS network.
Located in a community rich with history and culture, MS Burns is renowned for its dynamic educational approach that intertwines traditional learning with modern teaching techniques. The school’s focus on experiential learning ensures that students at MS Burns are not only recipients of knowledge but also active participants in their educational journey. MS Burns exists to spark an educational revolution for the students and families in the Dorchester-Waylyn Neighborhood in North Charleston. With a commitment to creating a supportive and challenging academic environment, MS Burns is forging a new path in public education.
MS Jasper represents the Meeting Street Schools’ dedication to community-based education with a global perspective. The school provides a nurturing environment where students are encouraged to explore their potential and cultivate a love for learning. With its diverse programs such as Eureka Math, and Wit and Wisdom, MS Jasper puts a major emphasis on character development, specialized learning and equips students to become thoughtful, engaged members of society, reflecting the MSS ethos of empowerment through education.
“MSA is a family. Once you’re in, you’re in. They said they would follow our kids from K-3 to college and they actually lived up to what they said they would do. Not only did MSA challenge my daughter academically but it also exposed her to new things that she probably wouldn’t have been exposed to at our previous neighborhood school. Our journey at MSA was exciting and rewarding. They actually walk the walk.”
“We come into work everyday truly believing that our students are capable of achieving anything that is put in front of them. Here at MSS, students are provided the opportunity to achieve success through the facilitation of well-educated teachers, resources, and a responsive classroom school environment.”
Meeting Street Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, or national or ethnic in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarships or loan programs, and athletic or other school-administered programs.
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