Christopher Dignam Email & Phone Number

Founded in 2020, Portraiture Education was established to provide a medium for reflecting on the dynamic nuances of leading, teaching, and learning that comprise the aesthetic whole of the educational experience.

United States

Facilitating course delivery at the Master’s and Doctoral levels for Educational Administration (EDAD) and Interdisciplinary Leadership (INLD) for principal and superintendent programs, course writer and designer for Masters and Doctoral programs (Quality Matters certified), comp test item reviewer for INLD doctoral students, chair and committee member for doctoral capstones, University Supervisor for principal and superintendent practicums.Courses facilitated: • EDAD 7501 – Teacher Leadership (Fall 2022)• EDAD 7802 – Technology Driven Leadership (Fall 2022)• EDAD 7803 – Supervision and Evaluation (Summer 2022)• EDAD 8101 – School Improvement Process (Anticipated Summer 2023)• EDAD 8102 – Leading All Students (Fall 2022)• EDAD 8105 – Engaging the Community (Spring 2022, Spring 2023)• EDAD 8206 – Principal Internship I (Spring 2022, Summer 2022, Fall 2022, Spring 2023)• EDAD 8207 – Principal Internship II (Summer 2022, Fall 2022, Spring 2023)• EDAD 8208 – Principal Internship III (Fall 2022, Spring 2023)• SUPT 8860 – Dynamics of School Climate• SUPT 9350 – District Improvement Planning (Spring 2022, Spring 2023)• LEAD 9101 – Research, Data Analysis, and Decision Making (Spring 2023)• SUPT ePort – Superintendent Intern Practicum (Spring 2022, Summer 2022, Fall 2022, Spring 2023) Course Development: • EDAD 7501 – Teacher Leadership (Spring 2022). New course proposal.• EDAD 8105 – Engaging the Community (Spring 2022). Revised existing course • EDAD 8101 – School Improvement Planning (Spring 2023). Revised existing course Blinded Peer-Reviewed Publications:Tadros, E., Dignam, C., Negron-Hobson, S. (In progress). The lived experience of mothers with an adult incarcerated daughter.Other Publications:Dignam, C. (2022). Digital graffiti: Instructional leadership from vision to fruition. CANE Dubh Publishing. ISBN 979-8-9050515-1-3 Dignam, C. (2022). Recording greenlit: Reflections on the art of sound. CANE Dubh Publishing. ISBN 979-8-9850515-0-6

Deerfield, Illinois, United States

Summary of Qualifications: Provides educational leadership for a therapeutic day school and curriculum development and implementation. Provides instructional leadership for students with special needs. Highlighted Accomplishments• Developed STEAM curriculum for biology, anatomy and physiology, robotics, makers lab, and CompSci• Facilitated social emotional learning (SEL) professional best practices for students struggling with depression, suicidal ideation, and school avoidance• Leads staff development for LSMs and paraprofessionals for de-escalation training and protocol, instructional practices for diverse learners, SEL supports and promoting cognitive development, and brain-based research for emotional/cognitive learning for students with special needs

Highland Park, Illinois, United States

Summary of Qualifications: Worked extensively with the Board of Education and the five communities the district serves to support leadership, instructional capacity, and provide an equitable education for all students. Highlighted Accomplishments• Successfully oversaw the completion of a $114 million referendum project (on time, under budget, on scope)• Successfully led the development, adoption, and implementation of the District’s first Strategic Plan • Initiated a Communications Audit and adopted/implemented the District’s first Communications Plan • Established the District’s first Superintendent’s Student Cabinet for increasing student voice and SEL• Chaired the District’s Policy Committee aside Board members for adopting District policies and procedures• Led the adoption and implementation of Skyward for finance, business services, and human resources• Led the adoption and implementation of the District’s new Mentoring and Induction Program for LSMs• Initiated and implemented the establishment of Schoology as a student Learning Management System for SEL• Established and implemented ECRA Dashboard for data management and student personalized learning• District Data Improvement (key performance indicators)o Improved ACT average score from 25.5 to 25.7 (80.1% of District students scored 20.1 or higher)o Improved percentage of students participating in AP (grades 10, 11, and 12) from 43% to 44.7%o Increased percentage of students enrolled in early college courses from 48.2% to 48.4%o Improved the District average graduation rate from 92% to 94.6%o SAT: DHS Average Scale Score 1202/99 percentile and HPHS Average Scale Score 1153/97 percentile

Highland Park, Illinois, United States

Summary of Qualifications: Worked extensively with stakeholders in developing and implementing 21st century instructional programs aligned to CCSS and targeted, strategic goals. Maintained a student-centered culture and school climate that promoted and supported curricular and extracurricular programs. Highlighted Accomplishments• Collaborated with community and school-based stakeholders in restructuring College Counseling services • Initiated the Student Advisory Board to increase student voice, governance, and SEL • Implemented STEAM Engine to align and construct a 3-year STEAM vision with staff• Initiated PSAT AP Potential diagnostics for sophomore and junior student college readiness

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Served as the principal for one of the largest high schools in the nation with approximately 4,100 students, 300 faculty and staff (grades 7 – 12). Worked extensively with stakeholders in developing and implementing 21st century instructional programs and targeted, strategic goals. Experienced with designing and employing innovative, creative, and diverse educational programs to support STEAM and GEMS, as well as Computer Science (Makers Lab), Art and Music graphic design/sound engineering programs, eight world language course offerings, and the humanities. Maintained a student-centered culture and school climate that promotes and supports 33 ethnic clubs, 70 special interest clubs, and 30 athletic competitive teams. • Improved student performance on ACT to the school’s all-time high senior aggregate score of 25.1 in 2014• Improved student performance on ISAT to 100% meets and exceeds for grades 7 and 8• Increased growth and expansion of the Advanced Placement (AP) program from 900 exams with a pass rate of 46% in 2006 to 5,000 exams and a pass rate of 70% in 2015 • Expanded world language department to include Chinese, Japanese, Russian, and Arabic languages • Doubled the size of the art department by developing 21st century graphic course electives and expanded the music department to include offering sound engineering and recording studio • Initiated the school’s first 1:1 learning environment initiative• Awarded the AP Capstone Diploma program in 2014 (one of only 100 schools offered worldwide) • Awarded the Department of Education’s Blue Ribbon Award in 2012• Awarded the McCormick Foundation Journalism Illinois Principal of the Year, 2014• Created the districts only Robotics program (competed in the Robotics World Championship 2013 and 2014) • Raised over $25 million in student scholarship offerings • Raised over $480,000 with external partners to fund educational programs• Supported 100% of students offered scholarship funds

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Summary of Qualifications: Served as the school’s PSAT Coordinator, Advanced Placement coordinator, Curriculum Director, Summer Bridge Program Coordinator, and External Partnerships Director. Highlighted Accomplishments• Coordinated growth and expansion of the Advanced Placement (AP) program• Coordinated growth and expansion of the Alpha Honors STEM Program • Established and coordinated the GEMS Program • Observed and evaluated teachers and monitors budgets and spending for Science, Mathematics, and Information and Technology, as well as observed, evaluated, and monitored budgets for English, Foreign Language, Guidance, and Physical Education departments • Supervised the Programming and Attendance Offices and serves as the Grade Coordinator• Supervised the Information and Technology Office and the school’s engineering staff • Supervised and coordinates Lane’s Service Learning program • Supervised and coordinates Lane’s tutoring program and scheduling • Served as Summer School Principal • Served as the liaison to the Local School Council (LSC) • Led the development of the school SIPAAA• Coordinated the Summer Bridge Program • Coordinated external partnerships• Sponsored the Lane Tech Scholar Program • Supported educational personnel with on-going professional development• Utilized data analysis to evaluate educational programs and improve instructional delivery• Oversaw curriculum development and improved instructional capacity• Supported improved instructional delivery of course content via course planning• Recruited and interviews candidates and hired personnel • Wrote/coordinated grants for academic supports • Wrote/coordinated student and staff handbooks

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Summary of Qualifications: Provided educational leadership for 23 High Schools in the Area 23 Englewood Office centered on human resource management, Area School Improvement Planning (ASIP), and city-wide Advanced Placement (AP) curriculum supports and city-wide AP Professional Development Highlighted Accomplishments• Provided science specialist support for 23 High Schools• Chaired city-wide Science Fair Scholarship Committee and Area 23 Science Fair • Conferred with the Area Instructional Officer, principals, and department chairs to build instructional capacity • Utilized and employed data analysis to support instructional improvement and enhancement• Provided professional development and human resource management • Served as Area School Improvement Plan (SIPAAA) reviewer and Advanced Placement curriculum supporter

Chicago, Illinois, United States

• Provided Instructional delivery of AP biology, biology, chemistry, physics, and anatomy and physiology• Provided biology and chemistry before-school, after-school, and Saturday tutoring• Member of the School Improvement Plan (SIPAAA) Committee for internal review of science • Member of the North Central Association (NCA) Committee • Member of the School Steering Committee• Served as a Service Learning coach • Co-chaired Lane Tech’s Chapter I budget proposals with administration, faculty, and Local School Council • Assisted in organizing the Relay for Life event with the American Cancer Society and school community• Assisted in organizing the 2006 Best Practice Conference for the Chicago Public Schools for 26 high schools and over 2,500 teachers and administrators with Area 19

Doctor Of Education Superintendent Licensure, Educational Leadership And Administration, General

Doctor Of Education - Edd, Teacher Leadership

Master Of Arts - Ma, Educational Leadership And Administration, General

Master Of Education - Med, Curriculum And Instruction

Bachelor Of Science - Bs, Biology/Biological Sciences, General