Samantha Sharp Email & Phone Number

Remote With Travel

Leading the opening of new school locations across the country to drive organizational growth to exceed 50 new school opens per year at minimum. Establishing foundations from the beginning to set the schools up for success in all areas that are key metrics of overall school health (initial location analysis, talent acquisition and retention, driving enrollment through grassroots marketing and consistent CRM follow up, whole school net promotor score review, parent engagement review, program outcome excellence, ongoing coaching and professional development of leaders, staff and parents, community engagement all leading to the health of the P & L)• Developed processes to scale the development of community through project and people management to open each location with at least 50% of capacity in month one and a clear line of sight to grow to capacity and profitability in 12 months.Building community begins with talent acquisition and the onboarding experience. A school leader who has an excellent experience themselves will be better able to deliver the same as they build their team and parent community.• Investing in relationships starts at the first communication and interview. • Setting leaders up with an excellent experience based on robust training that highlights a clear line of sight on the skills and competencies for success in the role earns trust early. • Growing that trust through ongoing engagement, assessment, training, coaching and performance management stems from clear communication and consistent follow through.

Remote With Travel

Reported to the CEO, spearheaded strategic initiatives to transform and pioneer Higher Grounds' future growth model. Initiatives include breakthrough and transformation business model development focused on Higher Ground's mission to "Mainstream and Modernize Montessori". Identify, create and cultivate strategic partnerships and alliances with new investors and stakeholders and launch new-to-world education models to underserved markets. Enabled Higher Ground to deliver on the promise of innovation by solving today's most pressing educational challenges across a diverse range of economic stakeholders (e.g., from chronically underserved communities to target upscale markets).• In partnership with the Central Florida Urban League, I established high fidelity Montessori programs in partnership with local faith leaders in unused church spaces. Hired local talent, provided training and sourced vendors from within the community served. Established processes for assessment to create individualized curriculum support to bridge academic and social/emotional gaps that grew more pronounced after the pandemic. • Developed micro school and customized solutions for high-net-worth individuals looking for a unique and personalized education experience for their own children or a small group of families. Managed hiring, expectation setting, delivery and set-up of materials and equipment across locations.• Co-led an initiative to open 50+ Guidepost schools proximate to military installations in the next 5 years. Partner with base commanders to identify options for short term solutions while pushing ahead with real estate searches for permanent brick and mortar locations.• Perform preliminary diligence on target acquisitions, including market research, financial review, infrastructure, people and culture assessments. I help manage and close prospective deals and provide post-merger integration of acquired assets, incumbent management teams, and the customer base they support.

Remote With Travel

I led the expansion of high-fidelity Montessori education across North America spearheading the opening of 48 locations including 22 acquisitions. During the pandemic expansion did not slow and we continued to open new schools every month. I created new processes to adapt to supporting pre-open teams virtually requiring creativity and a commitment to deeper relationship building. Without in person visits to sites the use of data to identify areas of concern in early stages and investigate for root cause grew exponentially.• Opened 48 new schools across North America with total capacity to educate 4000+ students.• Managed the strategy and post-merger integration of 22 school acquisitions, both Montessori and non-Montessori. I was directly accountable for the post-acquisition integration of each acquired entity and their stakeholders. This included managing the transition of existing staff and the student/families served while maintaining continuous operations. • One aquation of a group of schools comprising 8 school sites, across a multi-state geographic footprint under extremely tight time frame (<1 month). • Shepherded new school openings and integration of acquired schools site selection (new schools), comprehensive renovation/construction, furniture/fixtures/equipment, staffing (including head of school selection and onboarding), licensing, marketing, community outreach, enrollment, and staff training. • Once open, coached, and mentored school leaders to create world-class early childhood establishments which inspire great teaching and student and family outcomes. • Transitioned start-up schools to regional operations of the accountable regional school operations and management teams. • Established a systematic but customizable journey map for new school start-ups and/or post-merger integrations which assures each school delivers staff, parent, and student outcomes which are consistent with the brand values and educational pedagogy of Higher Ground.

Remote With Travel

As a Director of School Success I was responsible for supporting a group of growing Guidepost Montessori schools across a multi-state geography. At any one time I managed from 16 to 36 schools in various stages of their evolution from pre-open to fully enrolled with an established and stabilized parent and staff community with measurable student outcomes.• Coaching and supporting new and experienced Heads of School to achieve their personal development goals provides me with joy. I established a peer coaching structure with experienced school leaders partnering with newer school leaders and leading small groups of school leaders to address challenges they are facing. Trained and supported group leaders to facilitate challenging group conversations to stay solutions focused through building relationships of trust and processes to track discussions and next steps for additional support when needed.• I helped troubleshoot difficult and sensitive problems and ensured profitability targets and enrollment goals were being achieved. I remain committed to elevating classroom standards, and act as a thought-partner for the Head of School and our corporate leadership when challenging issues arise.

China

Traveled to China on a tour of multiple cities to conduct weeklong professional development and training sessions on classroom leadership. • Developed presentations that I co-delivered to over 1,000 participants at each of three locations that were adapted to the challenges of delivering Montessori education in China.• Collaborated with interpreters to have awareness of cultural sensitivity for each module. Managed pacing and delivery adaptations to account for the language.

12600 Spruce Tree Way, Raleigh, Nc 27614

My responsibilities include setting the school strategy, establishing a culture of excellence, and managing operations with a customer centered focus. • Ensuring a high-quality learning experience for children in every detail from the staff I hire and mentor to the building, outdoor play yards and the prepared environment of each classroom. • Fostering a collaborative, supportive work environment for all staff with clear metrics for growth and improvement through professional development. Kept turnover lower than the company average by providing guides pathways to further training. Four of my original hires are now Program experts and Mentors supporting new guides across the Guidepost network.• Ensuring the school meets profitability targets by driving enrollment and retention and managing expenses. Opened all 8 classrooms that served children from infant to age 6. Grew enrollment to 110+.• Ensure that the school meets all regulatory requirements and safety procedures are being consistently followed per regulations and best practices.

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

White Space Creative Communications is a full-service graphic design and event planning firm that works with your business to creatively promote your unique product, service or event.• Worked collaboratively with clients to understand their vision and goals, and to help uncover what makes them unique. Identified the target audience or guest and the goals of the client for the event. • Infused the brand or theme of the client or event through elements of design both big and small to help to make each event a standout among others. Worked with a team to combine all that with clean, smart, beautiful design. Understood that every client had different needs, which is why I focused on putting together the team and vendors best suited to match each client’s goals in terms of budget and aesthetic. This involved managing expectations across personality-driven stakeholders to achieve out-sized results. Used both superior people skills and organization to catalyze my client’s success for each event.

Chapel Hill, Nc

Worked with a German company to bring a new LED lighting concept to the North American market. Developed strategic roadmap to start-up business in North American market, including marketing and sales plan. Researched and advised on business incorporation. Conducted market analysis and research, including initial target market approach. Advised ownership on market entry options. Worked to create and edit marketing collateral.

Chapel Hill, Nc

Provided customized comprehensive services for high net worth individuals, professional athletes and their families. Fast paced environment which necessitated detailed servicing and solutions in a team-based environment• • • •Collaborated with internal team members and external customers at various levels to ensure seamless communication Managed expenses, divestments and acquisitions, troubleshooting at all levels Executed company and vendor payments using QuickBooks Routinely dealt with highly sensitive and confidential matters

Livermore, Ca

Managed a staff of teachers; used a teamwork-centered approach to create better partnerships with parents in support of the students.•Developed multi-disciplinary lesson plans while collaborating on curriculum development •Supervised, coached and counseled staff including organizing internal professional development •Organized and managed school-wide projects from brainstorming through completion•Led weekly staff meetings and handled performance reviews •Identified students “in need” and coordinated an appropriate plan of action with teachers and parents •Acted as liaison between teachers and parents to facilitate conflict resolution

Garden Grove, Ca

Over the course of three weeks each summer, taught full-day lectures to prospective teachers.• Introduced various methods of instruction for the Language Arts curriculum • Assigned and graded participants on relevant coursework• Defined learning differences between elementary age students• Outlined appropriate support systems to assist students and their families

Toronto, Canada Area; Manhattan Beach, California And Solana Beach, California

•Head teacher for a mixed-grade class of children in first through third grade•Developed curriculum and material for all levels

Bachelor Of Arts (B.A.), History And Political Science

Activities and Societies: President of Pi Beta Phi Sorority Four year volunteer at The Children's Hospital Coxswain for the Champion Men's.

Post Graduate Teaching Diploma, Elementary And Primary Education

Class Valedictorian