CEF Participant Experience
What Our Participants Say
Kristin Karczmit – Finance Budget Director, Norwalk Public Schools, New Canaan, CT
“The messaging and communications portion was very helpful in framing a different way to approach conversations within the community. I definitely got from this workshop a different way to view the budget process and work with stakeholders.”
Carrie Normand – Vice Chair, Somerville School Committee, Somerville, MA
“Every school board member should take this course! School budgets are moral documents, a public account of district priorities and values. Like many other districts, Somerville is working on our equity policies and practice. The Certificate in Education Finance taught me how to drill down on per-pupil costs and not be satisfied with the averaged costs. Only when there is a shared and detailed understanding of how resources are allotted can true equity work be done.”
Kaitlin Donahue – School Principal, North Kingstown School Department, Portsmouth, RI
“I had a great experience with the program and felt it really expanded my knowledge base within Ed Finance. Principal preparation programs and superintendent programs are really lacking this area of preparation. As a building principal I happen to work in a district where most financial decision making is made at the district level. I feel much more confident and informed now as I move forward planning for my school.”
Noelle Ellerson Ng – Associate Executive Director of Policy and Advocacy, The School Superintendents Association (AASA), Washington, DC
“I really appreciated this program. I feel especially grateful to have been surrounded by so many practitioners. I do policy, they actually work with this stuff. Such a value add. This is a program I intend to make available to my staff.”
Jessica Swanson – Director, Budget Strategy, DC Public Schools, Washington, DC
“The Certificate in Education Finance provided me with opportunities to consider new ways to communicate budget data and assess the alignment of district strategy to the budget. In addition, I built a valuable network of like-minded peers.”
Kevin Wenzel – Washington, DC
“I thought the speakers were top-notch, and the content felt relevant to my everyday work.”
Since its launch in 2018, over 1,500 people have participated in the CEF. Cohorts have incorporated a wide range of experiences and perspectives from inside and outside the education sector and from states and districts across the country. Alumni include state and school district leaders, budget directors, and administrators; school principals (traditional and charter); school board members; executive and legislative staff; state policy advocates; education reporters and communications consultants; foundation program officers; and more.