ABOUT
ME
Throughout the years, each of my professional experiences has been an opportunity to learn and grow, and has greatly contributed to the person I am today. Check out my full background below to learn more.
Servant Leadership | Administrative Experience
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Wilderness Education Project
In 2022, the Wilderness Education Project (WEP) was established under the guidance and influence of educational leaders in promoting a nonprofit organization that works for K-12 school districts, educational cooperatives, institutions of higher education, employers, workforce agencies, and businesses to find active solutions and ideas for programs, resources, and opportunities for both students and educators. These endeavors are welcomed in the local, regional, and national settings to establish advancement in successful frameworks. During this period, I became a co-founder and CEO of the Wilderness Education Project. My current activities include:
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• Collaborating with the governing board to identify, create, and implement strategic plans
• Identify, recruit, train, and develop a talented team of employees who can lead departments
• Monitor company operations and business practices
• Develop organizational culture and promote transparency and collaboration
• Develop partnerships with schools, educational agencies, workforce, and company stakeholders
• Identify potential risks and opportunities within the organization
• Identify potential sources of investment
• Represent WEP at formal events in ways that strengthen the organization with partnerships
• Perform duties that need leadership responsibilities for implementing projects with consultants
Kentucky Educational Development Corporation
During my time with the Kentucky Educational Development Corporation (KEDC), I served as the Projects & Operations Director over instructional programs (K-12) with schools and communities, providing guidance, leadership, and support. My responsibilities included the following activities:
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• Implementation of all programs in the Projects & Operations Department
• Creating and promoting a strategic vision for all teacher participants
• Administration of staff and programs from KEDC and school districts
• Develop and train KEDC Coordinators and staff in promoting teacher leadership and success
• Determine training objectives and technology platforms
• Design and lead training for professional development
• Recruit both veteran, new, and incoming teachers (from universities) for program goals
• Coordinate with vendors and evaluate their services to schools and students
• Serve as the liaison between school districts and the KEDC Board
• Use evidence to develop strategy, evaluate outcomes, and facilitate learning improvement
• Create web content and materials for program objectives
• Lead Advisory meetings and survey educators and students for program needs
• Present at site-based council meetings and monthly school district board meetings as requested
• Negotiate contracts with consultants and maintain records/purchase orders
• Implement innovative platforms promoting engaging educational programs and project-based learning
• Budgeting and all annual performance reporting functions
Somerset Independent Schools
I served as the Assistant Principal at Somerset High School for two years and implemented their first Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports (PBIS) program. Working toward multi-tiered systems of supports (MTSS), our PBIS team continuously improved our student population in behavior and academics. This work also included creating a student voice team and a teacher leadership team to help create other school-wide platforms to engage all students, teachers, parents, and the community. In career readiness, we increased their overall student participation with the local Area Technology Center promoting their CTE pathways, STEM pathways, and workforce certifications. Dual-credit courses were also added for students to provide more opportunities to expand their career options. Other duties performed included:
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• Provide servant leadership and guidance to teachers, counselors, students, and parents
• Formal and informal observations of teachers
• Screen, interview, place, and evaluate teachers and school personnel
• Promote outreach committees with teachers and parents
• Supervise and incorporate state or federal programs
• Lead student engagement strategies with teachers
• Promote student and school data for decisions in curriculum and programs
• Maintain educational content and school information on the school’s website
In 2014, I became the Project Director of a Youth Career Connect (YCC) Grant Program through the U.S. Department of Labor. Over the course of five years, 1,500+ students from 10 high schools benefited from the ideas, practices, and activities put in place by our team. These structures promoted a Growth Mindset in career readiness for students and career counselors. Evaluations of the practices and procedures of this YCC program have yielded high marks and reviews from the U.S. Department of Labor, workforce agencies, and high schools nationwide.
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Directed Federal Programs
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The U.S. Department of Education
Full-Service Community Schools
Full-Service Community Schools are tailored around the four pillars: (1) integrated supports, (2) expanded and enriched learning time, (3) active family and community engagement, and (4) collaborative leadership and practices to support high-quality teaching. Schools provide evidence-based strategies and pipeline services to promote high-quality educational programs for K-12 students that exist around performance indicators to increase high-quality teaching and opportunities for students.
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American History and Civics Education - Presidential and Congressional Academies
HEART established teacher and student cadres in support of American History and Civics. Both students and teachers participate in experiential immersions in a significant historical city with a current theme each year that provides first-hand teaching opportunities and in-depth historical content on Constitutional Construct, Crises, and Challenges.
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American History and Civics Education - National Activities
Project CHARGE allows teachers (K-8) to leverage technology to support instructional practices (Google Classroom, Google Earth) while working with teachers and administrators. Teachers explore micro-credentials and increase their knowledge of American History, Civics, Government, and Geography.
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American History and Civics Education - Presidential and Congressional Academies
ASPIRE provides cadres with the support of American History and Civics. Both students and teachers participate in experiential immersions in a significant historical city with a current theme each year that provides first-hand teaching opportunities and in-depth historical content.
Innovative Approaches to Literacy
Project LINK provided services through research-based activities that helped modify or expand K-12 literacy plans to improve school RTI needs. LINK promoted free books for all students; school-wide technology/software access; networking with communities to broaden literacy for preschoolers; improving school libraries with technology needs; promoting college and career readiness; and increased pedagogy for student engagement.
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The U.S. Department of Labor
Apprenticeship Building America (ABA)
The Apprenticeship Building America grant develops work-based learning skills through CORE elements built into a pre-apprenticeship model based on successful accomplishments. High School students engage with employers promoting new and innovative work processing schedules that create Apprenticeships to encourage employment in areas of need.
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Youth Career Connect (YCC)
To scale up evidence-based high school models, we collaborated with the United States Department of Labor in assisting ten high schools in developing their students to strengthen our talent pipeline for employers. Our partners included Morehead State University, KCTCS, Project Lead the Way, the office of Career and Technical Education at KDE, and several major companies and industries in KY to help encourage career pathways for high school students to ACHIEVE career goals for their future.
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The U.S. Department of Justice
Preventing School Violence: BJA's STOP School Violence Program
BJA's STOP program is designed to improve K-12 school security by providing students and teachers with the tools they need to recognize, respond quickly to, and prevent acts of violence and ensure a positive school climate. This STOP initiative will train personnel and educate students on strategies to improve SEL needs, intervening and responding to individuals in mental health crises, anti-bullying prevention, suicide prevention, and other evidence-based programs that continuously improve school safety and resources.