Experience

Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools

• Education Management
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Superintendent

  • Jul 2022 - Present



Colorado Springs School District 11

• United States
• Primary and Secondary Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Superintendent

  • Jul 2018 - Mar 2022

  • Oversee the general management of the schools of the district under the requirements of the state and the policies of the Board • Provide direct oversight of third largest school system in Colorado Springs with approximately $600M of department/school budgets while developing and implementing academic initiatives that support student learning • Meet the needs of the community and carry out the policies of the Board by administering the development and maintenance of a positive educational program • Raise overall literacy in grades 3-8 by 14% and students of color by approximately 12% through a more personalized, competency-based education • Develop academic plans to guarantee the academic improvement of highest needs schools reducing from 9 high priority campuses to just 2 • Fulfill the educational needs of all students by guiding the development of the educational objectives and programs of the school district • Ensure that expenses are kept within the approved budgetary limits of the school district by overseeing the school district's financial activities and taking appropriate action • Create comprehensive academic/facility master plans to ensure growth and achievement of the district • Translate Board policy into action while informing the Board on all matters of major importance or significance to the activities, programs and progress of the school district • Report to the Board the progress & status of the programs and activities of the school district Show less



Minneapolis Public Schools

• United States
• Education Administration Programs
• 700 & Above Employee

• Chief of Academics, Leadership & Learning

  • Nov 2016 - Jun 2018

  • Provided direct oversight of approximately $250M of school budgets while developing and implementing academic initiatives that support student learning • Guided academic programming by researching and identifying academic trends• Increased schools’ readiness to improve as evidenced by 5 Essentials results while supervising Deputy of Academics & Leadership overseeing ten academic directors• Achieved shared, aligned goals to advance student learning by supervising high-performing network of four Associate Superintendents, who are able to support one another• Expanded effective strategies and discontinued ineffective strategies by evaluating existing programs, services, practices and interventions• Supported the highest priority needs of schools by developing collaborative systems to enable district-wide resources • Increased fiscal responsibility by collaborating to design priority-based budgeting model Show less

• Chief of Schools

  • Apr 2014 - Nov 2016

  • Provided systemic leadership for the third largest district in Minnesota with an annual operating budget of approximately $800 million; 35,000 students and 6,000 staff; and direct supervision of 61 PK-12 schools• Advanced student learning by supervising high-performing network of six Associate Superintendents including providing individual job-embedded coaching, guidance, evaluation and feedback on performance to them• Developed action plans supporting higher levels of student achievement by assessing the academic needs of schools through analysis of performance and student outcome data• Developed comprehensive strategic and academic plans as member of Superintendent’s executive cabinet • Matched principals to schools based upon their assets and building needs by creating Leader Tracker System• Helped design on-line data dashboard system for Associate Superintendents and principals Show less

• Interim Superintendent

  • Jun 2016 - Jul 2016

  I was responsible for leading all functions and processes for the school district by collaborating with all internal and external stakeholders to implement and execute core strategies that produce results across the school district. As interim superintendent, I set the academic priorities of the school district and serve as the primary decision-maker and spokesperson for Minneapolis Public Schools. Lastly, I lead the transition team as we finalize the hiring of a permanent superintendent for the district. Show less

• Associate Superintendent

  • Jun 2011 - Jun 2014

  • Set strategic priorities and performance management measures aligned to student learning outcomes by liaising with the Superintendent, Chief Executive Officer and Board of Education • Supervised building principals and all related staff in a geographic portfolio of 17 schools totaling approximately 10,000 students.• Increased student enrollment, boundary changes, additional attendance areas and the opening of three new schools by managing five-year enrollment plan for my geographic area • Reduced suspensions and increased attendance rates by developing portfolio-based performance management system• Patrick Henry recognized by U.S. News & World Report as 3rd best high school in Minnesota Show less



Osseo Area Schools

• United States
• Education Administration Programs
• 700 & Above Employee

• Principal

  • Jul 2005 - Jun 2011

  • Provided overall instructional leadership to ensure ALL students learn.• Developed comprehensive school improvement plans to ensure staff adhered to specific instructional goals including achievement gap reduction targets, reading/writing across the curriculum.• Successfully reduced the African American achievement gap by approximately 30% in three years.• Students receiving special education support made ‘safe harbor’ as outlined by state AYP measures.• Students scored over 90% on state writing exams.• Instilled a culture of excellence and high expectations resulting in a significant reduction of out-of-school learning and discipline referrals by creating restorative justice measures as a means for comprehensive discipline/code of conduct resulting in suspension being reduced by more than 50%.• Responsible for hiring and supervising all staff members.• Provided organizational leadership to align our school practices with the district’s strategic plan.• Developed master course/curriculum schedule to include math and reading lab support in lieu of elective options for 7/8 grade students to start freshman year on track.• Managed special education programming (e.g., EBD, Autism, DCD, Deaf and Hard of Hearing).• Managed school budget including general funds, staff development, grants, gift accounts and aligned resources to support student learning.• Conducted formal/informal observations for staff members on a regular basis and effectively utilized an in-school coaching model to increase teacher effectiveness.• Provided staff development aligned to school improvement plan goals and district strategic priorities.• Established community partnerships to extend student learning• Principal representative for various district-wide committees (e.g., Teaching Learning Leaders, Standards-based grading/reporting, Strategic Planning Action Team, Labor Management, Budget Reduction, Talented and Gifted, Equity and Integration). Show less

• Equity/Integration Coordinator

  • Jan 2000 - Jun 2005

  • Lead desegregation efforts for the entire district totaling approximately 22,000 students and 3,000 licensed/non-licensed staff.• Managed a $3.2 million departmental budget that supported programming, staffing and community contracts.• Supported the district’s demographic changes to move from a district serving 10% students of color to 47% students of color over a five-year timeframe.• Developed professional standards curriculum for diverse learners for teachers to receive board credit to provide them with contractual step and lane changes.• Wrote and received a magnet school grant that resulted in opening three comprehensive magnet school strands including International Baccalaureate, Science Technology Engineering Math and Fine Arts.• Collaborated with Executive Cabinet members, Assistant Superintendents, building administrators and other district staff to ensure program and grant outcomes.• Responsible for the direct supervision and evaluation of 18 school liaison staff and one support staff member.• Negotiated community contracts and relationships with collaborative stakeholders.• Developed and implemented district-wide, culturally relevant staff development.• Chaired the Integration Advisory Council.• Chaired the Magnet Taskforce.• Member of Student Support Leadership Team.• Conducted both written and oral interviews with local media regarding diversity issues. Show less