Danelle Conner Email & Phone Number

Pittsburgh, Pa, Us

Mckeesport, Pa

As the founding Director of Instruction, I developed a program dedicated to serving children and families from underrepresented communities. My leadership focused on implementing robust systems to empower and support teachers, leveraging data-driven insights to enhance outcomes, and executing targeted staffing strategies to significantly reduce student-to-teacher ratios. This work resulted in YSGA being recognized as a Distinguished Title I School.Curriculum Development •Created and curated curricula tailored to meet the diverse needs of our students. Team Management and Leadership•Implemented an extended mentoring program, featuring weekly check-in meetings, resulting in a 4-year reduction in teacher turnover rates. Provided leadership and oversight for a diverse team of 30+ staff members.Learning and Professional Development•Developed and delivered professional development, emphasizing culturally sustaining pedagogical practices to foster an inclusive learning environment. Delivered sessions through diverse formats, including in-person sessions, virtual instructor-led training, asynchronous modules, and video.Program Development and Management•Launched Saturday Academy, an initiative dedicated to enhancing the math and reading proficiency of students in grades 3-6, resulting in measurable advancements in students' academic skills and overall performance.Strategic Planning and Educational Enhancement•Restructured the staffing model, reducing the student-to-teacher ratio for a minimum of two periods daily, resulting in enhanced personalized learning experiences and improved student performance on state assessments.Monitoring, Compliance, and Performance Improvement•Introduced data meetings to analyze student assessments, leading to the development of targeted instructional plans. Achieved a notable increase of over 40 points in the PDE School Performance Profile.

Remote

The Foundation provided digital learning solutions to government and non-profit partners at no cost. From the initial introduction to the seamless integration of these solutions into classrooms, my team and I actively guided our partners through every step of the customer journey. This entailed fostering a comprehensive support structure that ensured a smooth and impactful integration of digital learning solutions.Strategic Partnership Management•Cultivated robust partnerships with global partners in Costa Rica and Zimbabwe, developed implementation plans, and routinely discussed the progress of implementation resulting in sustained collaboration. Scalable Training Model•Managed teacher training in partner countries by adapting U.S.-based materials for global partners, this strategy eased adoption barriers, paving the way for exponential growth from 10 schools to a network of over 450 institutions leveraging our digital learning solutions.Program and Team Management•Supervised our learning and development team and managed the onboarding, training, and collaboration of a diverse team of consultants from various countries, resulting in a well-structured team and a positive and productive working culture.Learning and Development•Designed, developed, and delivered a diverse array of training formats, including virtual instructor-led sessions, in-person trainings, asynchronous modules, and microlearning scripts and videos, plus providing comprehensive facilitator notes that have empowered trainers, ensuring the effective delivery of content to over 3,000 adult learners.Curriculum and Content Development•Created and curated a rich array of curriculum, lesson plans, worksheets, guides, and tips to be hosted on a teacher-focused website that highlights our commitment to advancing education globally.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

In my capacity as the Director of General Studies and Principal, I collaboratively led the school leadership team in the strategic implementation of a comprehensive teacher observation and evaluation cycle. This initiative aimed not only at ensuring accountability but also fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Simultaneously, I focused on designing and delivering targeted professional development, enriching the skill set of our educators, and enhancing overall instructional quality. Recognizing the diverse needs of our student body, I supported the creation of a dynamic learning support program to provide tailored assistance, ensuring every student had the opportunity to thrive academically and personally.Leadership and Program Management•Led the supervision and coaching of principals, assistant principals, teachers, assistants, and aides. Streamlined systems and procedures for student services, teacher hiring and onboarding, teacher evaluation, and staff development.Learning and Development•Developed and delivered targeted training programs for school leaders, teachers, and parents, addressing identified needs outlined by school leadership. Facilitated the selection and implementation of Grades 1-6 general studies curriculum and provided support for high school general studies curriculum.

Greater Pittsburgh Area

As the founding Director of Programs at Higher Achievement Pittsburgh, I played a pivotal role in transformative leadership, collaborating closely with the regional director and center teams to elevate program effectiveness. My responsibilities encompassed the establishment of robust structures dedicated to supporting comprehensive staff and volunteer professional development. As an i3 grant-funded position, I aligned our efforts to meet the goals set forth by the i3 grant.Leadership and Program Management•Successfully managed academic and mentor-focused programs specifically tailored for middle school students within local schools. Responsibilities included adeptly overseeing staff, allocating budgets, and cultivating strong relationships with schools to ensure the seamless and effective implementation of programs.Learning and Development•Demonstrated a commitment to continuous improvement by participating in trainings and conferences hosted by the Higher Achievement national team. Applied gained insights in Pittsburgh by translating program goals into a comprehensive approach, designing and delivering professional development, coaching sessions, and support in curriculum, effective instructional practices, lesson planning, and classroom management.Stakeholder Collaboration•Guided program implementation by directly supervising center directors and managing the entire lifecycle of center staff. This encompassed the recruitment and hiring process, onboarding of staff and volunteers, resource allocation, and day-to-day management—all executed with a strategic focus to align with program goals.Monitoring•Implemented a robust program review process to guarantee and enhance program quality. Regularly reported findings to the Higher Achievement Pittsburgh regional director, demonstrating a keen ability to analyze data and trends. Subsequently, developed and executed a strategic plan aimed at continuously improving the effectiveness of program implementation.

Albany, New York Area

In my role as the Founding Chief Academic Officer, I assumed a visionary mandate to establish and lead a dynamic learning and development team, meticulously crafted to fortify educational excellence across our network of eight charter schools. My leadership extended far beyond mere team-building — I personally designed and delivered impactful professional development initiatives, fostering a culture of continuous improvement. A hallmark of my tenure was the seamless collaboration forged with school leaders, ensuring a unified and strategic approach to educational advancement within the network. My visionary initiatives and hands-on approach significantly contributed to building strong relationships with our partner schools.Leadership and Program Management•Built the support team, implementing robust systems to provide comprehensive support. Successfully orchestrated the coaching of school leaders, facilitated the integration of new curriculum, conducted impactful staff training, and provided mentorship to school leaders, teachers, and academic coaches.Learning and Development•Collaborated with school leaders and the ACSN academic team to meticulously design and deliver targeted professional development sessions. Empowered administrators and teachers with the essential knowledge and skills necessary for a successful transition to the Common Core standards.Stakeholder Collaboration•Orchestrated and led weekly meetings with the ACSN academic team and school leaders, fostering a collaborative environment to address program matters, identify potential barriers, and collectively devise effective solutions. Ensured transparent communication channels for optimal program success.Monitoring•Implemented a structured school review process, aiming to identify areas of strength and improvement in preparation for renewal assessments. Assessed schools' performance on state examinations and co-developed targeted enhancement plans.

Pennsylvania And Maryland

Leadership and Program Management•Guided the development and implementation of a comprehensive academic support model across Imagine Schools in PA, MD, and DC. This initiative encompassed data collection, rigorous analysis, training, coaching, and ongoing program monitoring for teachers and school leaders, resulting in enhanced educational outcomes.Learning and Development•Designed and delivered instructor-led training programs, guides, and curriculum resources focused on differentiated instruction, effective classroom management, and integration of the MicroSociety model. Demonstrated a commitment to fostering continuous improvement in teaching practices and student engagement.Change Management•Stepped into the pivotal role of interim principal during a leadership transition at Imagine Penn Hills Charter School. Skillfully managed daily operations, supervised staff, ensured state reporting compliance, and facilitated productive board interactions, fostering stability during a critical period of change.Monitoring•Led the collection, analysis, and dissemination of crucial data related to student assessments, attendance, and behavior. Effectively managed student data collection and reporting to meet state requirements, ensuring accuracy and compliance. Conducted comprehensive school reviews, identifying areas for improvement and implementing targeted strategies for enhancement.

Greater Pittsburgh Area

●Managed efficient reporting systems, stayed abreast of regulatory changes, and conducted regular internal audits to ensure compliance with Title I mandates and Pennsylvania Department of Education reporting requirements. Developed a comprehensive curriculum with integrated interactive and hands-on learning activities and conducted technology classes to foster deeper understanding concepts for students in K-5 classes. Analyzed student data and performance to adapt teaching methods to the unique needs of each student, fostering a more personalized learning environment.

Greater Pittsburgh Area

Supervised a variety of independent studies in early childhood education courses, as well as taught courses. Conducted courses in hybrid format using Blackboard. Courses included: Planning Early Childhood Centers, Early Childhood Curriculum and Issues, Trends in Early Childhood Education, Literacy and Differentiating Reading and Writing.

Greater Pittsburgh Area

Prepared small foundation grant proposals that provided funding to the organization to assist with program costs. Managed the annual United Way campaign by preparing solicitations and tracking donations. Tracked and maintained donor database using Raiser’s Edge. Assisted with annual golf outing to support programs. Collected and disseminated in-kind donations to FamilyLinks’ shelters.

Greater Philadelphia Area

Prepared documents to secure entry of various products into the United States via customs for two national corporations. Contacted necessary government agencies to insure importation of products. Supported customers in complying with Federal regulations. Participated in future managers training and trainings related to customs’ compliance.

Doctor Of Education (Ed.D.), Curriculum And Instruction

Principal Certfication

Master Of Arts (M.A.), Elementary Education And Teaching

Bachelor'S Degree, Psychology