Bruce Richards Email & Phone Number

Waconia, Mn

Principal of St. Joseph's Catholic School, a pre-K to 8 C-STEM (Catholic Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) School in Waconia, MN. *Top 10 goals of St. Joseph School’s CSTEM program To incorporate Catholic identity into every aspect of the curriculum through student directed, project-based experiential instruction. To be a forward thinking, faith-based institution that places high priority on faculty training, learning, leadership, and 21st century skill applications. To provide a challenging learning environment that is focused on the integration of religion into science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics. To increase the content literacy of all students in every aspect of the curriculum, while maintaining a classical Catholic educational foundation. To operate with the premise that math and science competencies can be developed, and that every student needs access to a CSTEM curriculum to be fully engaged 21st century learners. To promote a climate of innovation in all areas of instruction. To inspire the participation of student populations who are traditionally underrepresented in the sciences and the arts. To foster a climate that encourages problem solving, group collaboration, student-directed learning, and independent research. To understand that success is defined in multiple ways and can-and does-occur in many different types of schools and learning environments. To utilize strategic planning as a blue print to guide the development and implementation of the CSTEM curriculum.*adapted from National Catholic Education Association, http://www.ncea.org/department-news/top-ten-goals-stream

Manage Building Operations for Kennedy Elementary School, facilitated design of school and community relations and monthly family engagement events, oversaw student attendance, truancy, and discipline, promoted positive staff and family interactions, collaborated with community resource people to increase safety and security for students and staff, enforced district policies and procedures for building operations.Provide instructional leadership for over 80 teachers, leveraged professional learning communities, data collection, and analysis methodologies, in an effort to increase student learning and state assessment results.Complete ongoing formal and informal staff evaluations using Kim Marshall’s teacher evaluation rubric to enhance instruction and focus teaching through implementation of research based instructional practicesProvide ongoing professional development and district-wide leadership to staff through small group instruction and individual conferringWork with district leadership to develop and implement collaborative technology applications focused on student learning and effective and efficient sharing of dataProvide leadership and guidance to begin a Gifted and Talented program for Kennedy Elementary, including identification of students and curriculum design and implementationCollaborate with staff leadership to continually develop competencies through regular meetings with Instructional Coaches, Dean of Students and Continuous Improvement SpecialistManage and schedule mandated assessments, surveys and assessment results for Kennedy Elementary

Provided instructional leadership, leveraged collaborative action research, data collection, and analysis methodologies, developed/implemented teacher-specific instructional models, and increased teacher competencies and student achievement levels.Recruited and appointed to execute Q-Comp initiative, collaboratively integrated Rational Number Project Mathematics and Readers Workshop Model concepts.Consulted with multi-disciplinary teaching teams, defined/established reading and mathematics SMART goals, and consistently achieved/surpassed targeted performance objectives.Championed and introduced state-of-the-art social networking, data analysis, and technology tools including Google docs, Moodle, and MS Office Suite, modeled tool applications in one-on-one and group staff development settings, earned teacher buy-in and consensus, and improved teacher instructional quality and student learning engagement.Taught and modeled application of online mathematics test generator and management system, highlighted student learning comprehension measurement methodology, improved individual teacher instructional delivery and student standard achievement levels.Leveraged reflective practice observation tools, presented compelling teaching analysis and rationales, inspired application of Best Practices methodologies, and delivered targeted AYP category reduction results.Facilitated bi-weekly Professional Learning Community meetings, designed/developed student-achievement-focused meeting agendas, translated assessment data into usable formats, invited positive teacher feedback and information sharing, and inspired teacher support and engagement.Served as individual teacher role model and mentor, responded to teacher inquiries and challenges, and recommended innovative instructional alternatives.

Developed and taught district-wide mathematics training programs, Six Traits of Writing Trainer and Thinking Math Trainer, and improved course content, quality, and effectiveness.Mentored, supported, and developed K-12 district-wide teachers, briefed educators on district procedures/protocols, and facilitated an effective onboarding process.Served on Osseo School District Mathematics Teacher Advisory Team, utilized backwards design analysis standards, selected/integrated innovative curriculum, and developed a high-performing math program.Taught four Sixth Grade mathematics classes, developed/implemented instructional teaching methods, earned top student achievement assessment results, and was singled out to model teaching concepts to district-wide educators

Moorhead, Mn

2nd grade teacher, 4th grade teacher and 6th grade math teacher.

Stem Teaching Certificate

Ed. Specialist, K-12 School Administration / Principalship

Master Of Education (M.Ed.), Curriculum And Instruction

Bachelor'S Degree, Elementary Education And Teaching