Fusion Charter has found a new leader in Susan Nisan, a 19-year charter school veteran whom the school recently selected as its new principal.

Throughout her career, Nisan has worked to bring students creative educational opportunities through alternative programs. Before accepting her new position at Fusion Charter, Nisan served four years as principal of Valley Charter High School in Modesto, which was honored as a California Gold Ribbon School in 2015. Previously, Nisan worked for 15 years with families and students from kindergarten through grade 12 at Keyes to Learning Charter School.

"I am looking forward to becoming a part of each student's future team,” said Nisan. “The faculty and I are planning new activities that will help students earn additional credits toward high school graduation and connect with the local community.”

Since starting with Fusion Charter in July, Nisan has already begun to implement new programs that will benefit Fusion students, including a meal program through the Turlock Unified School District that will provide breakfast and lunch.

“Along with emotional needs, students have physical needs as well and good nutrition is really important,” said Nisan.

The biggest change that Nisan has brought to Fusion Charter revolves around the school’s new Friday morning life skills programs, where community speakers and mentors will provide emotional support and emphasize the importance of mental and physical health. Speakers from the National Alliance on Mental Illness will be visiting the school in two weeks’ time, said Nisan.

Fusion Charter is a free public charter school providing a unique educational opportunity for students who desire a more personalized approach to education. The school opened in 2014 and serves students in grades seven through 12 in Stanislaus County. 

Formed from a partnership between the TUSD and Aspiranet, the school is the perfect fit for students who do not succeed in a traditional school environment. The school blends direct instruction from credentialed teachers with online learning to create a unique educational alternative for students.

The unique educational setting was what first attracted Nisan to the school, and she hopes to help each student individually during her time as principal.

“It sounded like a very necessary program for the area,” said Nisan. “When I’m working with a student one-on-one on achieving their goals for the future, seeing them set those goals and then reach those goals is very rewarding.”