Program Areas

Reflections from the 2024 National Charter Schools Conference

Last month, the LISC Charter School Financing Team attended the National Charter Schools Conference (NCSC) in Boston from June 30 - July 3. We always look forward to attending the National Charter Schools Conference because it is an opportunity to connect with educators, advocates, and leaders in the charter community who possess the expertise that empowers and inspires our work. 

This year at the National Charter Schools Conference, we asked the LISC Charter School Financing Team to share their experiences during the conference. Find out what they shared below:

Albert Lee, Loan Officer

What was your favorite part of the conference?

As a first-time conference attendee, I enjoyed getting to meet so many educators, administrators, and CDFI staff and developers for the first time in-person.

What is something interesting you learned during the conference?

During the panel on green facilities, I heard from Peak to Peak Charter School’s operations leader about their experience with procuring and operating electric buses. It was interesting to learn about the structure of their partnership with Highland Fleets which provides fleet electrification services, as well as hear from the leader’s honest assessment of the pros and cons of electric vs diesel buses.

Daniel Stinfil, Senior Portfolio Manager

What was your favorite part of the conference? 

I enjoyed catching up with school leaders we have worked with in the past and spending time with CSF team members. 

What is something interesting you learned during the conference? 

Ideas related to how we could consider college completion and jobs secured as part of our underwriting criteria. 

Crystal Langdon, Director of Lending, presenting at the 2024 National Charter Schools Conference alongside our partners
Crystal Langdon, Director of Lending, presenting at the 2024 National Charter Schools Conference alongside our partners

Estiven Rodriguez, Program Officer

What was your favorite part of the conference?

During the National Charter Schools Conference in Boston, I enjoyed being able to connect with many of our partners that we do not get to see often in person and learning more about how they are working to expand high-quality education opportunities to all children. I also enjoyed being able to spend time connecting and catching up with colleagues that we have worked with in the past.

What is something interesting you learned during the conference?

One of the sessions that stuck with me the most was the “Do you Know Enough About Me to Teach?: A Student’s Perspective hosted by Stephen Peters, President of the Peters Group. In this session, we discussed how one of the most crucial factors to having successful school districts and individual schools is developing an effective school culture. One of the most interesting things I learned was that students today are different from the students 20 years ago and are now more influenced by social media/TV and their peers more than their school or at home. The schools operating at prominent level of success understand these challenges and are dedicating a committed group of teachers or other staff that understand their student’s synergy, today’s students, and themselves.

Yvonne Nolan, Vice President

What was your favorite part of the conference?

Connecting with our valued partners, schools, and charter community. 

What is something interesting you learned during the conference?

I was inspired by Dr. Vivienne Ming's keynote speech to think bigger about the ways students are educated and their creativity is fueled given technological advancements