As the Director of Innovation and Development, I function as a catalyst for change and growth by further connecting LEARN to the local, regional, and statewide educational communities. These responsibilities include identifying new services and service improvement, research, design and development, implementation, and evaluation of services. Develop Annual Support Plan to outline the needs of the regional support services team to research new educational and business opportunities in the… Show more As the Director of Innovation and Development, I function as a catalyst for change and growth by further connecting LEARN to the local, regional, and statewide educational communities. These responsibilities include identifying new services and service improvement, research, design and development, implementation, and evaluation of services. Develop Annual Support Plan to outline the needs of the regional support services team to research new educational and business opportunities in the region. Create strong partnership in the region to increase support for LEARN schools and partnering school districts. Design and development outreach programs to ensure the partner district is receiving the necessary services. Evaluation of services to determine the relevance of the program as it relates to LEARN Core goals. A major part of my responsibilities is to manage major school construction and improvement projects. I work with architects, design team, city planning board and LEARN staff to conceptualize the educational needs of school building improvement projects and new construction designs. Provide overall project oversight, reporting, and coordination for large, single-and multi-phased capital improvement projects at various phases (planning, design, and construction). Manage the architecture/engineering design teams, construction managers, and contractors to ensure the study or project is being completed on time and under budget. Assist in creating and updating design standards. Oversee preparation and documentation for facility’s feasibility studies, planning studies, and site studies. Assists in creating and updating education specifications. Assist in creating and updating design standards. Oversee preparation and documentation for facility’s feasibility studies, planning studies, and site studies. Assists in creating and updating education specifications. Participate in community engagement and committee meetings with community and school stakeholders. Show less

As Regional Director of the Regional Adult/Alternative High School I was responsible for supervising staff that facilitate adult and alternative education services at 6 locations that service 7 cities in Fairfield County. My programs supported students who have dropped out or are on the verge of dropping out of school. My staff was responsible for implementing Academic and Counseling programs to ensure these students are successful academically and grow as adult learners. My staff provided… Show more As Regional Director of the Regional Adult/Alternative High School I was responsible for supervising staff that facilitate adult and alternative education services at 6 locations that service 7 cities in Fairfield County. My programs supported students who have dropped out or are on the verge of dropping out of school. My staff was responsible for implementing Academic and Counseling programs to ensure these students are successful academically and grow as adult learners. My staff provided educational support for students taking the GED, ESL and Citizenship Testing. My responsibilities included supervising and training staff on effective implementation of common core instruction programs as they relate to educational standards, technical careers preparation, budgeting programs and services, identifying funding partnerships, community outreach and counseling program development.I was responsible for supervising the following: Evening High School, Career and Technical Training programs, Odysseyware Online Course Program, Virtual High School, GED supports programs, graduation assessment testing, personnel development, and career service programs. I provided leadership and support to core curriculum programs as well as special education, continuous school improvement (CSI)/Accreditation, and professional development. Provided input, guidance, and recommendations to the District Superintendent on program effectiveness, continuance, and expansion or modification. I ensured the application of 21st Century teaching and learning practices which include College and Career Readiness Standards implementation into district improvement plans which support the goals of the District Strategic Plan. I worked collaboratively with the federal correctional institution in Danbury on several programs. Other responsibilities include Community outreach and substance abuse program development. Show less

As Supervisor of Student Services. I was responsible for ensuring that my staff implements programs that will effectively improve student academic and behavioral performance in our schools. My pupil personnel workers service programs helped to improve the attendance, suspensions, and behavioral referral rates in most of the schools we serviced. This was done by effective implementation of programs such as Check and Connect, PBIS and Positive Behavioral Facilitation. These programs were designed… Show more As Supervisor of Student Services. I was responsible for ensuring that my staff implements programs that will effectively improve student academic and behavioral performance in our schools. My pupil personnel workers service programs helped to improve the attendance, suspensions, and behavioral referral rates in most of the schools we serviced. This was done by effective implementation of programs such as Check and Connect, PBIS and Positive Behavioral Facilitation. These programs were designed to have regular positive and proactive contact with students to build relationships, create counseling opportunities that support the social emotional health of students throughout the district. These programs proved to be very effective in helping us to serve the needs of our students. My staff was also responsible for working with families in need of social services. I trained my staff to have a thorough knowledge of Child Development Program regulations, Health services policies, Counseling principles, and procedures, to advise and to make recommendations for revision to and/or establish new regulations, policies, or procedures for the integration of Family programs. My staff provided a link between the parents and the many social service resources available in the county. Additionally, I work to ensure they had comprehensive, thorough knowledge and understanding of the substantive nature of the justification, acquisition, and operation of CYS/Family programs and processes, and the interrelationship among these programs.. Show less

As Instructional Special Assistant to the Superintendent for Newark Public Schools. Newark Public School serves a community that is mostly low-income families that is comprised of mostly Latino Americans and African Americans. As a Special Assistant I was responsible for the selection, training and evaluation of Principals and specialized in instructional staff (K-12) on educational programs implementation. Additionally, I supported the vision and mission of the District Superintendent, fully… Show more As Instructional Special Assistant to the Superintendent for Newark Public Schools. Newark Public School serves a community that is mostly low-income families that is comprised of mostly Latino Americans and African Americans. As a Special Assistant I was responsible for the selection, training and evaluation of Principals and specialized in instructional staff (K-12) on educational programs implementation. Additionally, I supported the vision and mission of the District Superintendent, fully sharing the duties, responsibilities, and operation of the District Office. I also provided educational leadership and administrative direction to school administrators, district office instructional support specialists, and educators. AS Special Assistant I was also responsible for connecting with union leaders, parents, and teacher’s leaders, community agencies and operations staff to ensure services are properly being provided. During my tenure in Newark, I also served as Principal of Broadway Elementary School. In my role as principal, I ensured that students receive a thorough and rigorous education. Additionally, I provided them with a safe and culturally rich educational environment focused on student achievement. Show less

As a specialist working with the Whole School Reform Initiative my primary duties were associated with helping underachieving school districts implement innovative school improvement strategies using developmental models such as the Coalition of Essential Schools, The Comer Model and Success for All My other responsibilities included the following school improvement support efforts: assessments of instructional programs and practices, district and school level budget development and review… Show more As a specialist working with the Whole School Reform Initiative my primary duties were associated with helping underachieving school districts implement innovative school improvement strategies using developmental models such as the Coalition of Essential Schools, The Comer Model and Success for All My other responsibilities included the following school improvement support efforts: assessments of instructional programs and practices, district and school level budget development and review, school-based management team building, staff evaluation, curriculum development, facilities, and community involvement. Additionally, I worked, in conjunction with relevant Functional Support Team (FST) members, to provide opportunities for LEAs with similar interest, performance or needs, to collaborate, problem solve and share practices. I also served as the State Liaison for teacher recruitment and retention. In that role I developed strategies and implementation plans for New Jersey’s first teacher recruitment initiative. Developed outreach strategies to recruit quality individuals from private industry businesses that were downsizing staff to participate in the alternate route to teaching program. Developed strategies for the implementation of the Urban Districts Early Childhood Teacher Recruitment Incentives Program. Developed strategies to retain and recruit minority teachers for New Jersey’s Public Schools. I have thorough knowledge of teacher certification and licensure process including traditional and alternate routes. Researched staffing needs and employee benefits programs for the state’s recruitment initiative. Researched and evaluated multiple human resources software packages. Marketed and sponsored job fairs for the state’s school districts in special need areas. Co-Designer of New Jersey’s first teacher/educator recruitment website NJHIRE. Presented program and trained human resource personnel throughout the state in the proper usage of NJHIRE. Show less

In addition to my administrative experience, I worked to enhance the personal growth and academic development of students as a Teacher/Professional School Guidance Counselor at Redland Middle School for Montgomery County Public Schools. During my tenure at Redland, we were awarded the National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence Distinction. I was also Head Basketball Coach at Seneca Valley High School in Maryland for 4 Years.