Professional Background & Educational Philosophy

Professional Background & Educational Philosophy
With over 20 years in education, I have dedicated my career to creating equitable learning environments where all students can thrive academically and personally. My diverse experience spans classroom teaching, instructional coaching, school leadership, and district administration, providing me with a comprehensive understanding of educational systems at every level.
Data-Driven Decision Making
I believe that effective educational leadership must be grounded in rigorous data analysis. By systematically examining both quantitative and qualitative measures, we can identify students' specific needs, track progress with precision, and implement targeted interventions that yield meaningful, measurable results for all learners.
Equity-Centered Practices
My educational philosophy centers on the fundamental principle that every child deserves access to high-quality instruction regardless of background or circumstance. I am committed to systematically dismantling barriers to achievement and implementing culturally responsive practices that honor students' diverse backgrounds, experiences, and learning styles.
Collaborative Leadership
Sustainable improvement requires genuine collective effort and shared vision. I foster collaborative professional environments where educators feel valued and empowered to share expertise, critically reflect on practice, and continuously refine their instructional approaches to better serve students' evolving needs.
1
High Expectations + Support = Student Achievement
I consistently demonstrate that students rise to meet intellectual challenges when provided with the right combination of rigorous standards, scaffolded instruction, and responsive support systems tailored to their individual learning needs.
2
Student Voice + Whole Child Focus = Student Ownership
I remain deeply committed to nurturing both authentic student voice and comprehensive whole-child development within educational systems, recognizing that when students feel heard and supported, they develop greater agency and ownership over their educational journeys.
Experienced Education Leader
Authors Derrick Barnes, Carol Boston Weatherford, and Amina Luqman-Dawson, and members of the Columbus City Schools Literacy team
My professional mission is to create transformative impact in education by ensuring equitable access to evidence-based instruction and amplifying the voice of every child in our learning community.
My educational leadership journey encompasses:
Five years driving systemic change as a central office leader
Four years fostering school improvement as a high-achieving principal
Two years guiding district-wide literacy initiatives as a teacher leader
Two years elevating instructional practices as a literacy coach, PLC facilitator, and reading interventionist
Nine years shaping young minds as a dedicated classroom teacher
Four years optimizing talent acquisition and development in human resources
Three years crafting strategic communications and public relations
My Leadership Approach
My leadership philosophy is anchored in rigorous data analysis that drives continuous improvement across all systems, ultimately benefiting each and every student. Through implementing comprehensive assessment frameworks and strategic interventions, Columbus City Schools has achieved remarkable progress across key performance indicators for all learners, while successfully narrowing achievement gaps for our most vulnerable populations. Our committed educators consistently deliver exemplary instruction in every learning environment each and every day.
Academic Visioning at Each Level
District Leadership & Administration
1
Strategic planning and vision-setting for academic divisions and offices
2
Leadership of large divisions (e.g., Early Childhood, ESL, Literacy, Math, Social Studies, Science, etc.)
3
Oversight of multi-million-dollar budgets (ESSER, general fund, federal grants)
4
Supervision of large, diverse teams (administrators, teachers, support staff)
5
Development of district-level academic programs (remote Pre-K, rising kindergarten summer experience)
Building Instructional Leadership
Expert in early childhood and K–3 literacy development
Established the Early Literacy Campus during second year of principalship
Achieved substantial improvements in literacy performance (advancing from F to C to B on Ohio Report Card ratings)
Third grade promotion rates increased from 72% to 92% in one year
Received state recognition for excellence in literacy acceleration
Earned "accomplished principal" designation through the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (ODEW) during first year as principal
How? Data-Driven Improvement Based on a Solid MTSS Framework
Turnaround results in literacy and math proficiency through systematic data analysis
Successfully increased kindergarten readiness metrics and mitigated pandemic-related learning loss
Implementation of building-wide SWIS PBIS Tool
Effectively tracked and responded to behavioral data trends to maximize instructional time and keep students engaged in their classrooms, decreasing tier 2 and 3 students to below 9%
Developed comprehensive school-wide schedules and curriculum maps aligned with district goals
Designed targeted intervention strategies fully aligned with Ohio state standards and evidence-based practices
Provided exemplary instructional planning guidance and classroom modeling for teaching staff
Classroom Leadership
1
1
Orchestrated a team of instructional coaches to design and deliver high-impact content for the CCS Family Literacy Academy, benefiting hundreds of families and educators across the district
2
2
Designed and facilitated engaging professional development workshops for hundreds of teachers during Capital Day, staff meetings, and PD days, empowering educators annually with evidence-based instructional strategies
3
3
Delivered targeted, research-based reading interventions for first-grade students in the bottom 20% of achievement, significantly accelerating student progress toward grade-level proficiency
4
4
Implemented rigorous instructional practices for students in grades 1–3, resulting in 100% of third-grade students demonstrating at least one year of academic growth on the 2010 Ohio Achievement Assessment
Theory of Action to Accelerate Academic Achievement
Strategically deploy targeted resources to ensure the intensive intervention programs effectively address the greatest needs of our most vulnerable learners
Implement research-validated evidence-based Tier 2 interventions with consistent fidelity during designated structured intervention time
Deliver rigorous, engaging high-quality Tier 1 curriculum with excellence in every classroom every day for all students without exception