Helping adults help children, I am passionate about serving and leading. At NCDPI I served as an Executive Leadership Coach to principals in some of the lowest performing schools in the state. As Chief Academic Officer for McDowell County Schools I facilitated development of the Board's first district strategic plan. In 2020, I led collaboration in the district for innovative remote teaching and learning strategies during the COVID-19 crisis. In my previous role at Asheville City Schools, I focused on making human resources HUMAN and supporting academic excellence at Asheville High, SILSA, and the alternative school. During my first tenure with NCDPI I worked as a School Transformation Coach helping low performing schools around the state by guiding principals in identifying key leverage points for school improvement. I also developed and presented Professional Development at the local, regional, and state level. I also worked as an AdvancED external reviewer, and as a state consultant, I assisted in conducting Comprehensive Needs Assessments of schools in NC and served on the DPI region 4 roundtable.As an NBCT who has taught grades five through college, I have a unique perspective on curriculum and instructional strategies, both face to face and virtual. A former high school principal, I opened two magnet schools for Columbus County, one of which received the largest Golden Leaf grant ever given for education, $1.8 M. In six months I wrote the entire curriculum, did scheduling, hiring, recruiting students, PR, and building community partnerships, all while simultaneously serving as principal of Southeastern Early College. Prior to becoming a principal, I was an instructor and director at the community college level who served on and chaired numerous screening committees, making hiring recommendations to the president. Throughout my career, I have used the PDSA process to plan and reflect with students, teachers, and school leaders.I completed my Ed.S. from Liberty University on 5/9/14 and have taken further courses toward my doctorate. I am interested in researching school improvement and teacher efficacy, which has a greater impact on student achievement than the students' socioeconomic status.