Tiyanjane M Dzilankhulani
The Pearl Kids
Denver,CO
13
years of professional experience
Transformative, social justice educator with over ten years of experience specializing in student support across PK-12 and higher education in diverse international settings both in Africa and the United States. Driven by personal experience as a reintegrated high school dropout, I am committed to helping historically marginalized students overcome academic, social, behavioral, and systemic barriers. Skilled in culturally responsive mentoring, restorative and trauma-informed practices, research, and data-informed student support. Proven ability to strengthen belonging, attendance, retention, and academic success through authentic relationships with students, families, educators, and communities. Founded a secondary school serving over 200 rural at-risk students annually. Eager to leverage this experience to advance student success within Denver Public Schools.
Work History
Preschooler Lead Teacher (Volunteer)
2 Years 7 Months- Facilitated weekly behavior strategies like values and character of the week to 15-16 diverse learners, maintaining 98% weekly attendance and reduced behavioral issues.
- Collaborated with 2 teaching assistants to provide individualized intervention and culturally responsive support to 15-16 learners weekly promoted positive behaviors.
- Engaged multilingual students and families on students' attendance and family engagement from diverse backgrounds, achieving 98% family participation.
Graduate Research Assistant - Dr. Erin Anderson & Dr. Kristina Hesbol's Research Lab
2 Years 9 Months- Collaborated with lead faculty on the University of Denver - Denver Public Schools Design Improvement BSS Project aiming at equipping school leaders with strategies to support English Learners in targeted schools, through networking session professional development and data collection resulting in improved student engagement, belonging, attendance, and positive behavior.
- Collaborated with faculty to collect data on school leaders' support for newcomer students across Colorado, facilitating resource sharing through Networked Improvement Communities (NICs) and strengthening support for multilingual students and families, resulting in improved attendance, belonging, and student outcomes.
Graduate Mentor Fellow - Writing and Research (WRIT 1133)
8 Months- Supported 24 undergraduate students in completing community engagement projects through individualized coaching, feedback, and follow-up, resulting improved academic success.
School Founder and Director
7 Years 6 Months- Founded and directed a secondary school (U.S. high school equivalent) serving 200+ historically marginalized girls annually, identifying students' academic, social, and behavioral needs and implementing targeted interventions, resulting in 100%+ growth in annual enrollment.
- Maintained a positive school environment by communicating behavioral expectations and protocols to students, teachers' parents and implemented culturally responsive restorative approaches through weekly mentoring, group circles, conflict resolution, positive reinforcement, and student reintegration, resulting in a 30% reduction in behavioral incidents.
- Coordinated a schoolwide student support system using trackers and developed teachers' capacity in restorative, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive Ubuntu practices, strengthening positive behavior, student belonging, and support for all students annually.
- Monitored and analyzed attendance and chronic absenteeism for students by discussing attendance alternatives, providing individualized interventions, conducting home visits, and supporting students in achieving attendance targets, contributing to a 95% attendance and retention rate.
- Maintained and analyzed student records on behavior and academic progress, reporting findings to school leadership, teachers, and families and collaboratively developing individualized and group intervention plans, contributing to a 95% attendance and retention rate.
- Developed community partnerships with social workers, counselors, NGOs, and community rehabilitation centers, coordinating parent conferences, home visits, resource referrals, and follow-up for at-risk students, contributing to behavioral and absenteeism cases remaining below 20% for five consecutive years.
Adjunct Instructor
6 Years 5 Months- Designed and taught a Women in Leadership course for 50-60 senior undergraduate students annually through active service in community and a capstone project strengthen critical thinking, leadership development, community service, and student engagement.
- Evaluated performance, tracked grades and provided mentorship and options for student success.
Teacher Assistant (Internship)
1 Year 11 Months- Collaborated with the lead classroom teacher planned and instructed interactive Social Studies in an American system of education learning environment contributing to 18 sixth graders resulting in 98% student pass rate.
- Developed trackers for behavior, assignment, attendance and reported to lead teacher for intervention.
- Provided individualized classroom-based academic and behavioral support through homework assistance, mentoring, and positive behavior strategies, resulted in student academic success.
Education
Ph.D. - Educational Leadership and Policy Studies
Master of Arts - Christian Leadership
Bachelor of Arts - Education
Skills
Student Advocacy & Support Services
Restorative Practices
Positive Behavior Support
Trauma-Informed Practices
Attendance Intervention
Chronic Absenteeism Intervention
Student Needs Assessment
Intervention Planning
Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS)
Family & Community Engagement
Conflict Resolution & De-escalation
Culturally Responsive Interventions
Data-Informed Decision Making
Authentic Relationship Building
Collaborative Problem-Solving
Professional Development & Facilitation
Classroom Instruction
Microsoft Office
NVivo
Qualtrics
Canva
Timeline
Preschooler Lead Teacher (Volunteer)
The Pearl Kids
01.2024 - CurrentRead More
Graduate Research Assistant - Dr. Erin Anderson & Dr. Kristina Hesbol's Research Lab
University of Denver - Morgridge College of Education
09.2023 - 06.2026Read More
Graduate Mentor Fellow - Writing and Research (WRIT 1133)
University of Denver, Public Good Strategy and Research
09.2023 - 05.2024Read More
Adjunct Instructor
African Bible College
01.2017 - 06.2023Read More
School Founder and Director
Girls Shine Christian Academy
01.2016 - 07.2023Read More
Teacher Assistant (Internship)
ABC international Christian Academy
07.2013 - 06.2015Read More
African Bible College
Bachelor of Arts from Education
Read More
African Bible College
Master of Arts from Christian Leadership
Read More
University of Denver, Morgridge College of Education
Ph.D. from Educational Leadership and Policy Studies
Read More