RESUME
My Story
I have always known I wanted to be a teacher, from the time I was young.
Educators have a unique ability to see the gifts and talents children bring to school and to help nurture and grow those gifts. My middle school teachers inspired my love of middle school learners due to the nurturing, guidance and leadership opportunities they instilled in me.
As a teacher, I spent countless hours focused on developing opportunities for learning that would encourage critical thinking, leadership, and citizenship in my students. I am a passionate advocate for inclusion and social justice.
Currently, I reside in Western Pennsylvania with my husband, three children, our two dogs, and chickens. We enjoy reading, gardening, running, swimming, traveling, listening to music and being outdoors as much as possible.
Certifications
PA State Administrator, Principal K-12, 2011
PA State Reading Specialist, 2007
PA State 6-12 Social Studies. 2000
PA State K-12 Mentally and/or Physically Handicapped 2000
Professional
experience​
Head of School/ July 2019-present
Campus Laboratory School of Carlow University, Pittsburgh, PA
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​During tenure, facilitated 5-year Strategic Plan including creation of Mission, Vision, Core Values and Profile of a Graduate; created systems and procedures for hiring, including interview protocols, professional support plans, handbooks, schedules and programming; implemented teacher evaluation system; secured grant and redesigned school library to reflect innovative and welcoming gathering space; implementation of School Climate and School Wide Positive Behavior programming, Student Assistance and Discipline procedures; development of student support services to increase inclusion and diversity; led school through accreditation and certification processes; developed and facilitated technology plan that increased instructional technology at a faster rate than outlined; created state plans for COVID safety; secured resources for COVID-19 teaching and learning; vertical alignment of curriculum to culturally responsive and evidence based teaching practices; Implementation (with fidelity) a strong K-5 foundational reading program complete with data collection that is reflective of the evidenced based practice of the science of reading; Increased enrollment; initiated partnerships and positive partnerships with the West Oakland neighborhood to actualize our values and mission; implementation and growth of a strings education program; Launched new website this summer; launching of robust summer camp program for Tiernan students and community; implementation of Executive Functioning and social emotional learning curriculum across K-8.
Professional Organizations
NAESSP
PAESSP
CPI
ASCD
Assistant Principal/ May 2012-present
Hopewell Memorial Junior High School, Aliquippa, PA
Grades 5-8, 670 students
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Implemented and facilitated teacher committees to address specific issues in the building including discipline, student achievement and scheduling;
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Developed and facilitated online PLCs through the use of Moodle; trained staff in Crisis Prevention Intervention;,
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Co-facilitated the adoption of Collins Writing school wide,
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Participated in Project Zero regional consortium with teachers;
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Co-facilitated staff development opportunities around the use of technology, rigor, STEAM, Project Based Learning, the new Teacher Evaluation process and SLOs; C
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Created and facilitation of building wide STEAM committee, STEAM walk and creation of outdoor garden space; facilitated the creation of 21 new project based elective offerings for students in grades 5-8;
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Presented at state and local conferences around literacy and STEAM and Equity
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Created maker spaces and new STEAM course (InnovatED);
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Co-created VOXER book chat on Innovator's Mindset with local principal to capture and support innovation.
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Serve as District Facilitator for Diversity Action Team
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Developed Partnership with A+ Schools to implement Restorative Practices
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Initiated and facilitated School Climate Process and Team
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Provide leadership for the School Wide Positive Behavior Support programming (newly developed)
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PSBA Equity Task Force Member
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ReMake Learning Equity Next Gen PD member
Inclusion Specialist/ November 2006 – May 2012
Mt. Lebanon School District, Pittsburgh, PA
Served as Training and Technical Support for district personnel in the implementation of inclusive practices and compliance with special education regulations;
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Designed and led professional development opportunities for teachers and parents, district wide;
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Trained and implemented Crisis Prevention plans in district buildings, trained staff in CPI;
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Member of the Allegheny County Transition Council; Executive Board member for the LIFEhouse (AIU);
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Supported teachers and administrators in inclusive practices;
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Attended local and state conferences for Differentiated Instruction, Inclusive Practices, and best practices in education;
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Co-developed and supervised the inclusive Summer Academy and ESY program for grades K-8;
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Facilitated the adoption of Mental Health School Based Services through partnership with Wesley Spectrum Services to provide supports to students with behavioral health needs in our secondary schools;
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Served as Department Chair for the Special Education department
Social Studies and Special Education Teacher / August 2003-June 2006
Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, NC
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Served as Grade 8 Chairperson
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Served on Equity Team
Director of Student Services and Grade 9 World Geography/ 2001-2003
Freire Charter School, Philadelphia, PA
Grade 7 Social Studies Teacher/ 2001
Durham Public Schools, NC
Grade 9-12 Social Studies, Inclusion Teacher/ 2000
Person County Schools, NC
Education
Ed.D in Educational Leadership with Superintendent LOE
University of Pittsburgh August 2020
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M.Ed in Educational Leadership with K-12 Principal Certification
Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, December 2010
M.Ed in Literacy
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill 2006
Bachelor of Science in Education
Miami University, Oxford, OH 1999
Graduated Cum Laude
University Honors Program