Sandy Zuniga Garza, Ed.D. Email & Phone Number

As CEO and owner of Adelante Education LLC, I provide collaboration and authorship that focuses on enhancing academic growth. This role complements my full-time work in higher education and strengthens my contributions to the field, particularly as my institution prepares to offer pathways into teacher preparation.Through Adelante Education, I bring insights from over two decades of educational leadership in personalized learning, academic innovation, and strategic planning and design. These experiences not only inform my writing but also enhance my ability to support future teacher education initiatives, equipping new educators with the skills and strategies needed for success in today’s classrooms.I welcome connections with others interested in educational excellence and innovative strategies for fostering teaching, learning, and leadership success.

Uvalde, Texas, Us

• Lead a team at Southwest Texas College to drive institutional effectiveness and adherence to accreditation standards.• Develop strategic frameworks and research initiatives to improve academic and operational performance.• Implement data-driven strategies to optimize departmental performance and foster a culture of excellence.

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Joined the school district to launch the first set of innovative academies: Dual Language AcademySTEM AcademyNew Tech MS AcademyAlso spearheaded the district’s first mock reunification project, coordinating training for an interagency crisis and response exercise.

Uvalde, Texas, Us

Supported district operations as a member of the Senior Cabinet Staff, representing Curriculum, Instruction, Assessment, Accountability, and Special Programs including Dual Language, Bilingual, Migrant, Afterschool Centers of Education, Career and Technical Education, STEM, Military Readiness, Gifted and Talented, and Response to Intervention. Additionally, I oversaw Curriculum Specialists focusing on Early Learning, Elementary, Secondary, Digital Learning, Blended Learning, and Professional Learning. Key accomplishments include:• Spearheading innovative training programs promoting accountability-aligned instructional and operational practices.• Serving as the Texas Education Agency district liaison (District Coordinator for School Improvement) to lead creation, monitoring, and evaluation of Targeted and District Improvement Plans.• Orchestrating and expanding leadership and learning initiatives, including Beginning Teachers Mentoring Academy, Uvalde Leadership Education and Development (ULead), and high-yielding partnerships with Google, Apple, IXL, Lead4ward, and Engage2Learn.• Strategizing to increase student achievement from 59% to 80%, effectively navigating COVID-19 implications.

Uvalde, Texas, Us

Throughout this experience, I championed a phased-instructional response during COVID-19 school shutdowns, leveraging the Teaching and Learning Hub for internal communications, Home Learning Site to coordinate school-home resources, Badgelist Professional Learning Incentives, and Schoology Learning Management System. Key accomplishments include:• Effectively supervising Teaching and Learning Specialists for Early Learning, Response to Intervention (RTI), Blended Learning, Elementary, and Secondary instruction.• Coordinating retention efforts, providing multiple services for new teachers, including mentoring programs, professional development opportunities, personalized technical assistance, and overall support for Texas Examinations for Educator Standards (TExES).• Securing a $325K Texas Education Agency competitive grant for technology integration and blended learning.

Uvalde, Texas, Us

While leading school improvement and accountability efforts, I executed numerous instructional initiatives, establishing and assessing over 18 accountability points. I also routinely coordinated efforts of the District Education Improvement Committee (DEIC) to establish and review district educational goals, objectives, and all major initiatives. Key accomplishments include:• Being appointed District Coordinator for School Improvement (DCSI), supporting low-performing schools.• Successfully launching Response to Intervention (RTI) initiatives, enacting a stakeholder task force, setting district and campus agreements, and implementing K-12 standard universal screeners.• Effectively securing and managing $945K in non-competitive grant funding.

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Throughout my tenure in this role, I oversaw online training opportunities to ensure that teachers had multiple opportunities to attain 30 hours of flexible professional learning. Additionally, I facilitated staff training and programming to support the secondary 1:1 initiative. Key accomplishments include:• Efficiently managing the Instructional Materials Allotment (IMA) budget exceeding $2.2M.• Successfully reduced textbook expenses by $400K during Proclamation 2015 by publishing the first set of digital textbooks in high school math and social studies curriculum.

San Antonio, Tx, Us

As part of the P-20 division, I established district partnerships for dual enrollment programs. I frequently supervised outreach specialists for Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR-UP) partnership with San Antonio ISD high schools. Additional contributions include:• Increasing organizational effectiveness, leading the College Readiness Initiative in partnership with Harlandale ISD to support academics necessary for college entry.As an Accelerated Schools Senior Field Trainer, I successfully increased scores +7 to avoid TEA school closure at Premont High School. Moreover, I achieved +8 increase in scores at Somerset High School. As Assistant Director, I directed efforts to earn the National Center for Accelerated Schools designation, and collaborated with six partner school districts and charter schools to deliver training and on-site technical support. Additional accomplishments include:• Securing $380K to ensure quality services, including training stakeholders to transform governance, curriculum and instruction in schools serving at-risk and minority students.

San Antonio, Tx, Us

I skillfully led the university's first online graduate program leading to a Master of Education degree. I efficiently coordinated hiring, training, and supervision of online teaching faculty. I also developed a traditional and online curriculum to meet emerging needs of undergraduate and pre-service teachers and graduate students pursuing certification. Moreover, I provided leadership for multiple committees, including Technology Advisory Council, Ad Hoc Faculty Web Group, Ad Hoc Faculty Distance Learning Group, Information Services Faculty Committee. Key accomplishments include:• Being awarded the Agnes M. Gloyna Award for Technology Innovation in Teaching and Learning.• Securing and managing $150K in Texas Education Agency grant funding.• Consistently ensuring program accreditation through Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), as well as the Texas State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC).

Corpus Christi, Tx, Us

Coordinated campus instruction and technology programs at a Title I middle school to foster and support effective instructional strategies and campus-wide technology integration

Corpus Christi, Tx, Us

Principal at displaced grade level site in response to natural emergency.

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Taught 3rd grade and 8th grade English/Reading

Bachelor Of Science (Bs), Elementary Education And Teaching

Master Of Education (M.Ed.), Counselor Education/School Counseling And Guidance Services

Doctor Of Education (Edd), Educational Leadership And Administration, General