Speakers
Workshop Sessions
Few relationships shape a charter school's success as much as the one between its board chair and executive director. When it works, it strengthens governance, stabilizes leadership, and builds trust. When it doesn't, the dysfunction can ripple throughout the school community.
Chris Ferris is a veteran educator who has worked in public, private, and charter schools since 1989. She is the Executive Director of Highline Academy Charter Schools, a two school network serving a diverse community of students in Denver. Highline Academy Southeast was awarded as a national Blue Ribbon school in 2020. She founded and led Our Community School, a K-8 charter school in Los Angeles CA from 2005 to 2013. In 2009 the school was recognized as the charter school of the year in CA for their progress toward narrowing the opportunity gap. She has been a consultant for multiple charters in Denver, Los Angeles, and nationally. She currently serves as the co-chair of the Denver Public Schools Collaborative Council.