Cristina Lizette Ridgeway, Ph.D. Email and Phone Number

As an independent education and leadership consultant, I am passionate about student-centered and relationship-driven approaches. I specialize in empowering education leaders to identify and implement strategies that achieve their goals by transforming complex challenges into actionable and achievable steps. My consulting services include developing and implementing school effectiveness site visit protocols, coaching and mentoring school principals in creating effective campus systems, conducting comprehensive onsite visits to assess strategic plan implementation, and providing actionable feedback. Additionally, I partner with education organizations to design and manage change initiatives and support stakeholder engagement processes to ensure successful and sustainable results. I am adept at building leadership capacity and can support program effectiveness reviews for special education, ensuring compliance and maximizing student success.

Led the sales and strategy efforts to scale partnerships in Texas. Supported a diverse portfolio of schools nationwide and was responsible for delivering training and coaching support to school leaders and partner school districts. Oversaw the implementation of the Coursemojo courses through site visits, observation, coaching debriefs, and data analysis. Strategically set priorities and established continuous improvement feedback loops to improve student performance and student experience. Maintained a strong focus on ensuring a seamless experience for partner schools while upholding high standards of professionalism and efficacy to achieve positive student outcomes.

Oversaw the agency’s campus and district improvement strategies and approach for struggling districts and campuses. Implemented accelerated instruction and high-impact tutoring supports. Managed Title I grant-funded state-level priorities and projects. Led and coordinated the development of the Effective District Framework (EDF). Directed and informed strategy approaches for the divisions under District Systems and Strategies. Managed performance and built capacity by coaching and developing three Directors, three Supervising Managers, and overseeing 31 staff across the three separate divisions under my leadership to ensure effectiveness and a positive culture within the department. Supervised, evaluated, and led the strategic analysis of the impact of regional education service centers (ESC) and school improvement (SI) processes to maximize and leverage support to key stakeholders. Established and oversaw the communication strategy, change management, and training efforts internally and externally with LEAs and ESCs for several successful statewide initiatives. Built knowledge in the field with ESCs and school districts related to best practices in systems and strategies to improve district and campus systems.

Led the agency’s school improvement and intervention work for identified low-performing districts and campuses by overseeing the support, guidance, and feedback provided to districts and campuses on the development and implementation of targeted improvement plans and turnaround plans. Coordinated with Education Service Centers to provide ongoing support and guidance to districts and campuses engaged in school improvement efforts. Successfully led the division to support districts and campuses in implementing best practices in the Effective Schools Framework (ESF).

-Led a state-wide needs assessment process, evaluating and streamlining roles and responsibilities for struggling campuses.-Evaluated and streamlined the roles and responsibilities of internal capacity and external support partners for struggling campuses

-Co-led the statewide training, resource, and tool development for the Texas Accountability Intervention System (TAIS)-Developed and provided guidance to Texas public school districts, charter and non-public schools to resolve problems, identify training needs, and discuss programmatic effectiveness

-Conducted desk reviews and on-site visits of schools to make determinations regarding implementation and compliance of special education (SPED), career and technical education (CTE), No Child Left Behind (NCLB), and bilingual education/English as a second language (BE/ESL) program-Provided consultative services and technical assistance to plan, implement, and monitor effective programs and services