Reform minded public school administrator with more than 13 years of school leadership expertise and 8 years of teacher experience.
Skills
Experience with instructional design
Experience with special-needs students
Experience with American Indian students and families.
Managing at-risk schools
Title 1 grant writing and budgeting.
Planning Special Education efforts
Strong collaborator
Tailoring curriculum plans for Title 1 schools
Critical thinking and strategizing.
Teacher evaluation accountability
Work History
07/2007 to Current
Principal and District Title 1 CoordinatorSouth Washington County Schools – Cottage Grove, MN
Implemented reading and writing workshops based on the state standards to increase student literacy and support school reading programs.
Improved student academic test scores on state tests over the last three years.
Provided instruction leadership and crafted the instructional strategy for our Title 1 school.
Overhauled Special Education services at the school including a reworking of the Level 3 Emotional and Behavioral Disability rooms.
Supervised Special Education teachers and related services including due process paperwork.
Wrote the Title 1 grant for the District and filled the role of Title 1 Coordinator for the District managing the grant and interfacing with the Minnesota Department of Education.
07/2003 to 07/2007
Assistant PrincipalMinneapolis Public Schools – Minneapolis, MN
Served as Assistant Principal at Anishinabe Academy a school focusing on American Indian students by infusing language and culture into the curriculum.
Helped hire and staff Anishinabe Academy and developed procedures and systems to ensure academic success.
Supervised staff and Special Education programs as well as after school cultural programming.
Sat on school council and helped draft Site Improvement Plan highlighting the strategies and programs to be sued for academic success.
Assisted in student discipline and positive recognition programs including cultural events and family dinners.
07/2000 to 07/2003
TeacherMinneapolis Public Schools – Minneapolis, MN
Classroom teacher focusing on fifth grade and Special Education.
Delivered curriculum and devised lesson plans based on the Minnesota State Standards.
Supervised students and paraprofessionals.
Managed Special Education assessments, IEP creation, and evaluation meetings.
Engaged students in meaningful activities and learning opportunities.
09/1989 to 07/1992
Director of the All Nations program at South High SchoolMinneapolis Public Schools – Minneapolis, MN
Coordinated all American Indian support programs at South High School with the goal of reducing the drop out rate for American Indian students by infusing culture into their academics.
Created meaningful relationships among students through both academic and cultural events.
Provided counseling to students in order top help them stay on track to graduate from high school.
Created after school support programs and college awareness events for American Indian students.
Education
2004
School Administration License: School Administration University of Saint Marys - Minneapolis, MN
Post-Masters degree in School Administration resulting in K-12 Administration license with the State of Minnesota.
2000
Master of Arts: Education University of Saint Thomas - Saint Paul, MN
Recipient of Ethel Curry American Indian Scholarship.
1988
Bachelor of Science: Business Administration University of Wisconsin-River Falls - River Falls, WI
Majored in Business Administration and minored in Speech Communications.
Recipient of UW-River Falls American Indian Scholarship award for two years.
Graduated with Senior Honors.
Served as President for the UW-River Falls Native American Council for two years.
Additional Information
Enrolled member of the White Earth band of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe.
Worked in Marketing Management between the years 1991 and 1998 before coming back to teaching.
