At Choice Schools Associates, we are proud to have a staff filled with champions. Every day, individuals across our schools go above and beyond to support students, families, and one another, and those efforts do not go unnoticed. Through our Choice Champions initiative, we are honored to highlight the people who help make our schools strong.
We’re excited to recognize this month’s Choice Champion, LaQuinn “Quinn” Minier of New Branches Charter Academy!
Walk through the halls at New Branches, and you’ll quickly notice Quinn. She’s everywhere, greeting students at the door, checking in with teachers, supporting families, and offering a steady, calming presence wherever it’s needed. As a student advocate, Quinn plays a unique and vital role in the building, helping students grow not just academically, but socially and emotionally as well.
In her role, Quinn supports students through emotional regulation, social skill development, and behavior coaching. She serves as a liaison between students, teachers, and families, coordinates the school’s check-in, check-out system, and supports initiatives like the Be Nice program. Whether she’s responding to student needs, facilitating conversations, or simply being a listening ear, Quinn is a consistent source of support throughout the school community.
Her colleagues see that impact every day. As one colleague shared,
“She has fully embraced her role as student advocate, going above and beyond to support student success. She has taken the initiative to understand every aspect of the position, consistently seeking out answers and expanding her knowledge to better serve both students and families. She is proactive in checking in on students, advocating for their needs, supporting teachers, and strengthening relationships across the school community. She has even developed social groups and workshops tailored to student needs, meeting each child where they are. Her strong work ethic, kindness, and empathy have made her a trusted and valued support for both students and staff.”
Though she didn’t originally set out to work in education, Quinn quickly found her calling. After spending years in behavioral health, she transitioned into working with students and discovered a deep passion for helping young people grow and succeed. “Once I started working with children, I fell in love,” she shared. “I knew this was where I wanted to spend the rest of my career.”
Quinn was drawn to New Branches by its unique approach and sense of community. After learning more about the school and stepping into the building for the first time, she knew she had found the right place. “From day one, it just felt like home,” she said.
That sense of belonging extends to both students and staff. Quinn speaks highly of the collaborative and supportive culture at New Branches, where colleagues step in to help one another and genuine relationships are formed. “If someone needs support, people show up,” she shared. “It’s not just about the students. It’s the staff too.”
For Quinn, the heart of her work is always the students. She takes the time to understand each child’s story, recognizing that behavior is often a form of communication. “It’s about seeing the whole child,” she explained. “How can I support them socially and emotionally first, so they can succeed academically?”
Her impact is felt in both big and small moments, but it’s often the simplest ones that mean the most. Greeting students each morning, Quinn is met with countless hugs, smiles, and moments of connection that set the tone for the day. “I feel like the school mom,” she said. “That’s what brings me joy.”
Quinn’s dedication is rooted in a deep sense of purpose. “I know I was placed here for a reason,” she shared. “My why is to support each and every student to be the best version of themselves that they can be.”
In her first year as a student advocate, Quinn is especially proud of the relationships she has built with students and families, as well as the systems she has helped put in place to better support the school community. She continues to celebrate student success through traditions like Celebration of the Hives, where students are recognized for demonstrating the school’s core values of being safe, kind, respectful, and responsible.
At the end of the day, what stands out most about Quinn is the care she brings to her work. She shows up fully for her students, her colleagues, and her community, creating an environment where everyone feels seen, supported, and valued.
Congratulations, Quinn, on being named a Choice Champion. Your compassion, dedication, and heart for students truly embody what it means to be a champion.
