Nivea Lisandra Torres, Ph.D. Email & Phone Number

Dallas, Tx, Us

Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex

Vero Beach, Florida

Build consensus and strengthen relationships with and among community organizations serving children, from conception to age five, and their families.Keep the community informed of KRC activities and achievement by coordinating outreach, media relations, and speaking engagements in conjunction with other Moonshot Moment activities.Develop mutually beneficial relationships with private childcare providers to build engagement and share strategies.Manage the process of building collaboration to ensure early childhood programs work effectively with other community resources to accomplish the goals of the KRC Strategic Framework.Encourage local, state and national advocacy for systemic improvement of early childhood education.Manage strategic planning process, including data collection, analysis and reporting.Develop and manage a process to respond to ideas and proposals from the community that fall outside the approved KRC Strategic Plan.Participate in fundraising and grant writing specifically to advance the infrastructure and goals of the KRC.

Hartford, Connecticut Area

Oversaw the supervision of 17 technical high schools; one education center; and two schools of aviation with 11,000 students and over 2,300 employees.Managed, supervised and evaluated 18 principals 32 central office staff; clerical support staff; and business office. Oversight of the district’s $156M budget and capital expenditures.Oversight of all CTHSS Board and Legislative Matters, including submission of reports per statutory requirements.

Hartford, Connecticut Area

As the district’s Interim Superintendent, I developed a management plan that detailed my vision on how to successfully oversee the daily operations of over 11,000 students and 20 facilities without additional assistance in the management ranks. I crafted a plan entitled, "Involving the CTHSS Community in the Administration and Management of Schools." At the core of the plan was my theory of action that aligned with the concept of distributed leadership. School improvement and lasting reform can only be achieved by building a broad base of leadership. As an education leader, my primary goal is to empower other district leaders and to develop the capacity for improvement within the organization. After serving in this role for one year, I was appointed Superintendent of Schools for the Connecticut Technical High School System.

Hartford, Connecticut Area

Responsible for the implementation of curriculum aligned with state frameworks, student and teacher performance objectives, curriculum standards, and proficiencies in trade and academic areas.Directed the development, evaluation, and revision of curriculum and instruction and assumedresponsibility for the implementation of approved programs. Coordinated and assisted with the formulation, planning, and implementation of the professional development program for professional staff (teachers and administrators).Worked with consultants in the evaluation of instructional materials, including textbooks, digital resources, library/media acquisitions, and other instructional materials.Provided leadership in developing plans for instructional research; pilot studies for curriculum, instruction, and technology; and new courses of study.Responsible for assessing results of programs and addressing areas in need of improvement.Worked with Principals and consultants to develop plans for assessing and monitoring the academicprogress of all students. Direct oversight of the District Improvement Team and monitored the District Improvement Plan.Supervised technical high schools as determined by the Superintendent of Schools.Supervised and monitored program implementation for English Language Learners.Kept the Superintendent informed and worked cooperatively with all other administrators in school and district-related matters.Performed other duties and assumed responsibilities as may be assigned by the Superintendent.

Storrs, Ct

Advisor to graduate students in Master's Program in Bilingual Education.Instructor for the following courses: Foundations of Bilingual Education; Second Language Acquisition; Curriculum Issues in Bilingual Education; and Bilingual Education and Bi-literacy.

Windham, Ct

Principal of a K - 4 school; 300+ students in an urban school district.Led school improvement efforts that resulted in Safe Harbor Status in the summer of 2010.Developed the Annual Budget and secured additional funding resources as needed.Developed and implemented a School Improvement Plan aligned with District Goals.Coordinated Parent Involvement Activities and partnership with school PTO.Planned and implemented a Staff Development Program focused on Data Driven Decision - Making (DDDM).Handled all student disciplinary referrals.Hired, supervised, and evaluated all assigned professional and support staff.Organized extra - curricular activities: Family Math Night, Annual Spelling Bee, Winter and Spring Music Concerts, Field Day, and recognition ceremonies.Implemented a Standards Based Instruction Model.Implemented SRBI (Scientifically Researched Based Intervention) Initiative.Organized and Facilitated School and Grade Level Data Teams.Implemented a school-wide climate initiative as part of Demonstration School Project.Developed school-based assessments matching the established curriculum and provided professional development for teachers in the use of these assessments.Monitored the academic progress of students in reading, writing, and math and determined appropriate interventions for struggling students.Monitored implementation of special education guidelines and mandates.

Willimantic, Ct

Coordinated and administered LAS (Language Assessment Scales) testing and other state and federal mandated testing for English Language Learners. Developed and implemented an ESL (English as a Second Language) curriculum for the district.Provided teacher training and support for the district’s dual-language, bilingual, and transitional programs. Organized staff development activities on ESL strategies, sheltered instruction, and effective instruction. Conducted revision of district’s curriculum renewal cycle for all disciplines.Provided ongoing cognitive coaching for district teachers.Provided training for district’s administrators on teacher evaluation and sheltered instruction practices.Prepared state reports on ELL (English Language Learner) progress and growth based on annual test scores. Coordinated and implemented FLES (Foreign Language in Elementary School) grant and curriculum for grades 3 and 4 students.Supervised and trained Bilingual Transition Teachers.Assisted principals with hiring Bilingual staff.Co-Chaired curriculum review committees.Worked cooperatively with building administrators, instructional consultants, classroom teachers and other instructional personnel to ensure proper implementation of the curriculum.Coordinated district-wide grade level planning/instruction to ensure proper implementation of the curriculum.Organized parent/family programs to provide parents with information regarding the curriculum, enable parents to experience the activities in which their child is engaged, and teach strategies for helping students in the designated subject area.Assisted the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and the Superintendent of Schools in additional tasks as needed.

Ph.D., Curriculum And Instruction

Concentrations: Curriculum and Instruction, Educational Leadership, Bilingual Education Dissertation: Administrative Support for English.

Summer Fellowship 2004, 2005 & 2006, Education

Master Of Education (M.Ed.), Teaching English As A Second Or Foreign Language/Esl Language Instructor

Concentrations: ESL Methodology, Teaching Reading to Non-Native Speakers Thesis: Male and Female High School ESL Students: Does Gender.

Bachelor Of Arts (B.A.), Foreign Service And International Politics

Activities and Societies: Alpha Phi Omega Service Fraternity