What Nonprofit Charter Schools Teach About Fiduciary Duty - Andrew Epstein

In Chapter 13 of 19 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, charter school executive Andrew Epstein shares what defines fiduciary responsibility working in nonprofit, specifically in a New York City public charter school. He contrasts this experience and responsibility with for-profit responsibility, referencing his work at Island Def Jam records. Epstein is currently Senior Director for Finance at Democracy Prep Public Schools in New York City. Previously, he was a finance executive at Universal Music Group's Island Def Jam Records and, previous to that, a schoolteacher in the Teach for America Corps program. He holds a BA from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

When to Interview for Potential and Not Past Experience - Andrew Epstein

In Chapter 12 of 19 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, charter school executive Andrew Epstein learns to take a leap of faith choosing a job outside his existing skill set. Careful consideration gives Epstein confidence that comes through interviewing for the more senior role, in this case a CFO-level position managing multiple charter schools. Epstein is currently Senior Director for Finance at Democracy Prep Public Schools in New York City. Previously, he was a finance executive at Universal Music Group's Island Def Jam Records and, previous to that, a schoolteacher in the Teach for America Corps program. He holds a BA from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

How Finance Executive Develops into a CFO - Andrew Epstein

In Chapter 11 of 19 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, charter school executive Andrew Epstein shares what defines different stages of a finance career. As finance director at record label Island Def Jam, Epstein holds department-level management responsibilities. In his new role at Democracy Prep Charter Schools, Epstein holds organizational finance management responsibilities. He finds outside support to navigate both the change in job requirements as well as industry change. Epstein is currently Senior Director for Finance at Democracy Prep Public Schools in New York City. Previously, he was a finance executive at Universal Music Group's Island Def Jam Records and, previous to that, a schoolteacher in the Teach for America Corps program. He holds a BA from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

How to Apply Business Finance Skills Managing Charter Schools - Andrew Epstein

In Chapter 10 of 19 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, charter school executive Andrew Epstein shares how he applies his business finance skills in a charter school environment. He notes the importance of identifying, refining, and implementing systems and processes to improve operations efficiency. This includes the accounting system, managing the P&L, expense tracking and the associated backoffice processes and checks and balances. He enjoys the creative license the flexible charter school model provides him and his team for designing solutions. Epstein is currently Senior Director for Finance at Democracy Prep Public Schools in New York City. Previously, he was a finance executive at Universal Music Group's Island Def Jam Records and, previous to that, a schoolteacher in the Teach for America Corps program. He holds a BA from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

What Do Charter Schools and Small Businesses Have in Common - Andrew Epstein

In Chapter 9 of 19 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, charter school executive Andrew Epstein compares running a charter school to managing a small business. Epstein notes schools have customers, the families and students, employees, the staff, revenues and expenses. Like small businesses, sustainability is key to charter school finance and operations. Epstein notes the importance of monitoring per pupil financial allocations and optimizing the education experience delivered from that investment. Epstein is currently Senior Director for Finance at Democracy Prep Public Schools in New York City. Previously, he was a finance executive at Universal Music Group's Island Def Jam Records and, previous to that, a schoolteacher in the Teach for America Corps program. He holds a BA from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

How Teach for America Alumni Become Future Education Leaders - Andrew Epstein

In Chapter 8 of 19 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, charter school executive Andrew Epstein highlights what it means to be a Teach for America alum and how the experience and relationships have and continue to affect his career. He identifies with Teach for America program experiences attending Summer Institute, being a First Day Teacher, and working in under-resourced classrooms. These connections help him relate to and recruit Teach for America alums seeking to continue education careers in the charter school system. Epstein is currently Senior Director for Finance at Democracy Prep Public Schools in New York City. Previously, he was a finance executive at Universal Music Group's Island Def Jam Records and, previous to that, a schoolteacher in the Teach for America Corps program. He holds a BA from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

Why to Work in Big City Education - Andrew Epstein

In Chapter 7 of 19 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, charter school executive Andrew Epstein shares why he enjoys working in big city education. Epstein compares his current charter school experience to earlier career time with Teach for America and how both have created national movements. He enjoys being part of the public charter school movement innovating classroom education. Epstein is currently Senior Director for Finance at Democracy Prep Public Schools in New York City. Previously, he was a finance executive at Universal Music Group's Island Def Jam Records and, previous to that, a schoolteacher in the Teach for America Corps program. He holds a BA from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

How Passionate Peers Shape Charter School Culture - Andrew Epstein

In Chapter 6 of 19 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, charter school executive Andrew Epstein shares how passionate peers provide everyday motivation and pushes him to achieve more. Epstein, who left a record label to return to education, finds the culture of commitment hone his purpose to work toward getting more and more students into college. Epstein is currently Senior Director for Finance at Democracy Prep Public Schools in New York City. Previously, he was a finance executive at Universal Music Group's Island Def Jam Records and, previous to that, a schoolteacher in the Teach for America Corps program. He holds a BA from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

How No Excuse Rules Create Culture of Accountability - Andrew Epstein

In Chapter 5 of 19 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, charter school executive Andrew Epstein notes how charter schools create a culture of accountability by subscribing to the No Excuses Movement. The movement requires parents, teachers, and students to participate and to be held accountable to high standards. Epstein learns about the No Excuses Movement as a Teach for America educator at Kipp Academy Charter School in New York City. Epstein is currently Senior Director for Finance at Democracy Prep Public Schools in New York City. Previously, he was a finance executive at Universal Music Group's Island Def Jam Records and, previous to that, a schoolteacher in the Teach for America Corps program. He holds a BA from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

Why Do Charter Schools Attract Aspiring Entrepreneurs - Andrew Epstein

In Chapter 4 of 19 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, charter school executive Andrew Epstein discusses the charter school business model, its foundation in accountability and why it attracts aspiring entrepreneurs. Epstein is currently Senior Director for Finance at Democracy Prep Public Schools in New York City. Previously, he was a finance executive at Universal Music Group's Island Def Jam Records and, previous to that, a schoolteacher in the Teach for America Corps program. He holds a BA from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

How Charter School Job Interview Process Improves Recruiting - Andrew Epstein

In Chapter 3 of 19 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, charter school executive Andrew Epstein shares what the Democracy Prep Charter School job interview process has taught him about more effective recruiting. Epstein notes that teachers are traditionally given demo lessons as part of the interview. This is typical across the industry. Democracy Prep also requires a demo lesson for non-instructional positions. This helps the school sort out skills qualification and ability to get things done. Additionally the school focuses not on industry experience but on professionalism and an ability to get things done. Epstein is currently Senior Director for Finance at Democracy Prep Public Schools in New York City. Previously, he was a finance executive at Universal Music Group's Island Def Jam Records and, previous to that, a schoolteacher in the Teach for America Corps program. He holds a BA from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

How Charter School Movement Creates MBA Jobs in Education - Andrew Epstein

In Chapter 2 of 19 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, charter school executive Andrew Epstein shares why he left his corporate finance job at Island Def Jam Records for a charter school finance director role. Epstein considers the move a sort of homecoming, as previous to Island Def Jam he was a Teach for America teacher. He notes how the charter schools are attracting highly passionate and educated candidates from traditional corporate career paths. Epstein is currently Senior Director for Finance at Democracy Prep Public Schools in New York City. Previously, he was a finance executive at Universal Music Group's Island Def Jam Records and, previous to that, a schoolteacher in the Teach for America Corps program. He holds a BA from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

How to Use Middle School Teaching Skills in Corporate Finance Job - Andrew Epstein

In Chapter 1 of 19 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, charter school executive Andrew Epstein shares how his 7th and 8th grade teaching experience has made him a more effective finance professional. His 7th and 8th graders teach Epstein the value of improvisation, focus, and composure in finance roles both at Island Def Jam and currently at Democracy Prep Public Schools. Epstein is currently Senior Director for Finance at Democracy Prep Public Schools in New York City. Previously, he was a finance executive at Universal Music Group's Island Def Jam Records and, previous to that, a schoolteacher in the Teach for America Corps program. He holds a BA from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

How to Encourage a Culture of Innovation in Education - Louise Davis Langheier

In Chapter 9 of 9 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, non-profit founder and executive Louise Davis Langheier shares how she encourages innovation in education by promoting health education and life skills in the context of education. In today's education setting, Langheier sees significant opportunity to increase heath education and life skills curriculum in the classroom. Her team prioritizes communication on this issue when speaking at conferences, meeting with education leaders, and working with schools. Langheier is founder and CEO of Peer Health Exchange (http://www.peerhealthexchange.com ), a non-profit that trains college students to teach health education in public high schools. She graduated Yale University with a B.A. in History and serves on the board of directors of Dwight Hall at Yale, the center for public service and social justice.

How Evaluation and Testing Improve Curriculum Design - Louise Davis Langheier

In Chapter 8 of 9 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, non-profit founder and executive Louise Davis Langheier shares how evaluation and testing inform health education curriculum design. As her organization Peer Health Exchange develops, Langheier looks to invest more in pre- and post- testing to complement on the ground student and teacher feedback. Langheier is founder and CEO of Peer Health Exchange (http://www.peerhealthexchange.com ), a non-profit that trains college students to teach health education in public high schools. She graduated Yale University with a B.A. in History and serves on the board of directors of Dwight Hall at Yale, the center for public service and social justice.

How to Structure a College Student Leadership Program - Louise Davis Langheier

In Chapter 7 of 9 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, non-profit founder and executive Louise Davis Langheier details how Peer Health Exchange teaches leadership to its volunteers. The organization designs a tiered leadership development structure for its volunteer student teachers. Langheier offers ways this tiered leadership and management structure allows for development as well as classroom teaching competency. The individual and group leadership skills prepare college volunteers for post-college careers. Langheier is founder and CEO of Peer Health Exchange (http://www.peerhealthexchange.com ), a non-profit that trains college students to teach health education in public high schools. She graduated Yale University with a B.A. in History and serves on the board of directors of Dwight Hall at Yale, the center for public service and social justice.

How to Make Teaching an Aspirational Career - Louise Davis Langheier

In Chapter 6 of 9 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, non-profit founder and executive Louise Davis Langheier notes the challenges which prevent top college students from pursuing teaching careers. She then offers ideas to overcome these challenges and better position teaching as an aspirational, holistic, and fulfilling career option. Langheier reviews incentive structures, career paths, and holistic learning as ways that would drive college graduate teaching interest above and beyond specific programs such as Teach for America. Langheier is founder and CEO of Peer Health Exchange (http://www.peerhealthexchange.com ), a non-profit that trains college students to teach health education in public high schools. She graduated Yale University with a B.A. in History and serves on the board of directors of Dwight Hall at Yale, the center for public service and social justice.

How Teaching Social and Emotional Health Improves Education - Louise Davis Langheier

In Chapter 5 of 9 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, non-profit founder and executive Louise Davis Langheier shares her view that education is about empowering individuals to succeed in life and society. She notes this empowerment comes from a confluence of academic skills and social and emotional health development. Langheier finds satisfaction seeing momentum continue on this blended learning perspective, but notes there is much work to be done to make it standard practice. Langheier is founder and CEO of Peer Health Exchange (http://www.peerhealthexchange.com ), a non-profit that trains college students to teach health education in public high schools. She graduated Yale University with a B.A. in History and serves on the board of directors of Dwight Hall at Yale, the center for public service and social justice.