What does it really take to transform education in Idaho?

On this episode of Ever Onward, Tommy Ahlquist and co-host Roger Quarles sit down with Terry Ryan, CEO of BLUUM, Idaho’s leading nonprofit incubator for high-performing public charter schools. Terry shares his remarkable journey—from Illinois to Poland to Idaho—and how that path led him to help launch and expand dozens of schools serving students and families across the state.

This conversation explores the future of school choice, why traditional systems can struggle to adapt, and how Idaho has become a model for innovation in public charter education. Terry also breaks down how BLUUM identifies talent, supports school founders, funds growth, and helps create schools built around the unique needs of each community.

From rural school preservation to career-technical education, online learning, classical academies, and high-impact charter models like Elevate Academy and Gem Prep, this episode is a deep look at what’s possible when mission, leadership, and community come together.

In this episode:
• Terry Ryan’s powerful personal journey into education and policy
• Why school choice and mission-driven schools matter
• How BLUUM has helped launch and expand schools across Idaho
• What makes great charter schools work
• The role of talent, leadership, and long-term investment in education
• Why Idaho is becoming a national model for public charter innovation

If you care about the future of education, leadership, and creating opportunity for the next generation, this is a conversation worth hearing.

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