AKILAH ELLISON
PORTSMOUTH,VA
Summary
Continuing a career in a servant leadership capacity; relevant credentials and Master’s Degrees in Curriculum & Instruction, Elementary Education and Educational Leadership. Have seventeen years utilizing research based best practices with my students, writing and revising curriculum at the secondary level; familiar with the unique challenges and demands of the 21st Century classroom. Committed to working with teachers and administrators to design effective resources for students, often adapting and revising concepts to meet the demands of the classroom.
Experienced leader with strong background in guiding teams, managing complex projects, and achieving strategic objectives. Excels in developing efficient processes, ensuring high standards, and aligning efforts with organizational goals. Known for collaborative approach and commitment to excellence.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director, Middle School
St. Patrick Catholic School
07.2023 - Current
- Worked closely with organizational leadership and board of directors to guide operational strategy.
- Monitored office workflow and administrative processes to keep operations running smoothly.
- Managed daily operations while overseeing multiple locations to foster increased productivity.
- Oversaw operations and provided corrective feedback to achieve daily and long-term goals.
- Managed budget of $10000 for middle school instruction of 156 students.
- Prepared action plans to address concerns discovered through surveys, classroom observations and conversations with stakeholders.
- Oversaw development and implementation of quality educational programs.
- Recruited, trained and mentored faculty and staff in best practices for instruction.
- Managed daily operations while overseeing multiple locations to foster increased productivity
- Worked closely with organizational leadership and board of directors to guide operational strategy
- Enhanced team collaboration through regular communication, goal setting, and performance evaluations.
- Established a culture of continuous improvement by fostering open communication channels and empowering employees to voice their ideas.
- Strengthened internal controls by reviewing existing policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
- Managed budgets effectively to ensure optimal use of resources while maintaining financial stability.
- Leveraged professional networks and industry knowledge to strengthen client relationships.
- Evaluated employee performance objectively using established metrics, leading to fair compensation adjustments based on meritocracy principles.
- Enhanced data-driven decision-making by implementing advanced analytics and reporting tools.
- Assisted in recruiting, hiring and training of team members.
Instructional Leader
Churchland High School
01.2020 - 07.2023
- Improved students' analytical skills by introducing state-of-the-art computer program technologies.
- Communicated frequently with parents, students, and faculty to provide feedback and discuss instructional strategies.
- Modified lessons and curriculum to accommodate diverse learners by using strategies such as peer-assisted learning and group work.
- Increased educational expertise and knowledge by participating in instructor-oriented workshops.
- Designed detailed learning plans for struggling students based on test, homework and assignment records.
- Worked with staff members and teachers to design comprehensive and individualized plans to optimize student education.
- Developed and implemented classroom routines to address varying student needs.
Fourth Grade Teacher
Portsmouth Catholic Regional School
09.2019 - 06.2020
- Design and implement learning plans aligned with school system standards, enduring understanding, differentiation and research based best practices
- Create and establish a student centered classroom based on culturally responsive best practices
- Develop a physical environment in the classroom where all students were learning at optimal levels (socio-emotional, personalized, equitable, culturally responsive practices)
- Collaborate with my colleagues with learning plans, assessments and events in our classroom and school community
- Mentored girls with emphasis on leadership and pro-social skills in the community
Professional Learning Specialist
Virginia Beach City Public Schools
08.2015 - 01.2019
- Specialization Area: School & Classroom Culture
- Facilitated site based professional development for teachers and administrators in areas of: Teacher Well-Being Brain-Based Teaching Micro-Messages in learning environment Joy and Happiness in school culture Teaching with Boys in Mind Teaching with Girls in Mind Restorative Practices to counter Disparities in Discipline
- Best Practices in Adult
- Learning
- E-Learning
- PLC implementation and sustainability
- Student Engagement
- Socio-Emotional Learning
- Culturally Responsive
- Practices
- Mobile Applications in
- Professional Development
- SeeSaw Certified
- Adobe Illustrator
- Adobe Captivate
- FlipGrid
- Camtasia
- Kahoot Certified
- Blackboard
- Google Applications
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Akilah Ellison
- Collaborate with various stakeholders to produce professional learning for adult learners
- Designed and implemented professional development for building principals around their needs
- Designed observation tools to use for learning walks and professional learning
- Designed and facilitated courses for F2F, blended and online platforms
Teacher Leader
Virginia Beach City Public Schools
08.2014 - 07.2015
- Facilitated site based professional development for teachers and administration
- Provided differentiated coaching to mid-career teachers with emphasis on student engagement
- Designed and implemented professional development for building principals specific needs
- Designed and facilitated action research book studies for building
- Guided schools based teams through the PLC process
Teacher Social Studies, Department Head
Virginia Beach City Public Schools
08.2008 - 09.2014
- 7th Grade Facilitator)
- Designed and implemented learning plans aligned with state and city standards, enduring understanding, differentiation and research based best practices
- Achieved passing rates on end of course tests
- Created and established a student centered classroom where they were treated like family
- Developed a physical environment in the classroom where all students were learning at optimal levels
- Mentored girls with emphasis on leadership and pro-social skills in the community
Social Studies Teacher
Woodrow Wilson High School
08.2000 - 08.2008
- Wwhs.ppsk12.us/, Designed and implemented learning plans and best practices in an urban secondary setting
- Utilized best practices that met the needs of all learners
- Created a student centered classroom environment
- Coached the Debate and Forensics Team
- Coached the Dance Team
- Collaborated with colleagues to create interdisciplinary units of study
- Achieved a 90 percent and above pass rate on end of course test for history
Social Studies Teacher
Granby High School
08.1998 - 06.2000
- Schools.nps.k12.va.us/ghs/,
- Designed and implemented learning plans and best practices in an urban secondary setting
- Utilized best practices that met the needs of all learners
- Created a student centered classroom environment
- Coached the Debate and Forensics Team
Education
Graduate Certificate -
Walden University
Doctor of Education - Leadership
Concordia University
07-2027
Master's - Educational Leadership
Concordia University
Master's - Elementary Education, emphasis, Reading
Concordia University
Skills
- P>Student engagement
- P>Learner assessment
- P>Classroom management
- P>Curriculum Development
- P>Special education
- P>Differentiated instruction
- P>Training and Development
- Relationship building
- Strategic planning
- People management
- Project management
- Team management
- Operations management
- Decision-making
- Verbal and written communication
Accomplishments
- Supervised team of 20 staff members.
Affiliations
Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD), Member 2012 – Present
National Council for Social Studies (NCSS), Member 2010 - Present
International Reading Association (IRA), Member 2010- Present
Additional Information
- Additional references can be provided upon request.
Personal Information
Title: Educational Leader
Certification
- Licensed (Admin and Teaching)
Timeline
Director, Middle School
St. Patrick Catholic School
07.2023 - Current
Instructional Leader
Churchland High School
01.2020 - 07.2023
Fourth Grade Teacher
Portsmouth Catholic Regional School
09.2019 - 06.2020
Professional Learning Specialist
Virginia Beach City Public Schools
08.2015 - 01.2019
Teacher Leader
Virginia Beach City Public Schools
08.2014 - 07.2015
Teacher Social Studies, Department Head
Virginia Beach City Public Schools
08.2008 - 09.2014
Social Studies Teacher
Woodrow Wilson High School
08.2000 - 08.2008
Social Studies Teacher
Granby High School
08.1998 - 06.2000
Graduate Certificate -
Walden University
Master's - Educational Leadership
Concordia University
Master's - Elementary Education, emphasis, Reading
Concordia University
Doctor of Education - Leadership
Concordia University
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