Allison Aber
Rocky River,OH
Summary
Dedicated educational leader with extensive experience in school administration, staff development, and the mentorship of future leaders. Principled and efficient with a successful ability to modernize operations and build organizational capacity. Talented at fostering a culture of belonging and high expectations while prioritizing the human element of leadership to ensure staff thrive, so that students thrive.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Principal
Roosevelt Elementary School
Lakewood, OH
01.2019 - Current
- Designed and implemented a building-wide PBIS framework aligned to the Ron Clark Academy House System, creating a scalable culture model adopted across the district and influencing student engagement and staff collaboration system-wide.
- Orchestrated an interview process for several classroom positions at multiple buildings, designing and facilitating a structured, two-round interview process including demonstration lessons and stakeholder input to ensure high-quality hires
- Supervised and evaluated 35+staff, providing ongoing coaching, actionable feedback, fostering a culture of high expectations, accountability, and professional growth.
- Restored staff unity by bridging professional divides, cultivating mutual respect, and aligning the team with school-wide goals.
- Systematized and led key organizational structures including TBT, BLT, BAT, PBIS, DEIB, SST, and data meetings, ensuring consistent protocols, distributed leadership, and data-informed decision making.
- Demonstrated district-level leadership by proactively planning professional learning, schedule redesign efforts, and supporting continuous improvement initiatives across the elementary principal team.
- Expanded teacher leadership capacity by transitioning to a co-led professional learning model, empowering staff to take shared ownership of data-driven instructional improvements in math, writing, and reading.
- Planned professional learning for Grading for Equity for all seven buildings, establishing vertical and horizontal alignment and preparing staff to transition toward more equitable grading practices.
- Redesigned the master schedule to maximize staff efficiency, collaboration time, and service delivery, aligning human capital to building and district priorities.
- Revitalized the PTA by partnering with families to reestablish its presence, driving growth and engagement through transparent communication and inclusive school-wide events.
- Actively contributed to district-wide strategic planning and systemic improvement by serving on key leadership committees, including Communications Forum, DEIB, ELA Curriculum Adoption, Math Intervention Committee, and DLT, ensuring a unified vision for student and staff success.
- Institutionalized new building-wide traditions, such as clap in and clap out ceremonies, which significantly fosters a sense of belonging and community pride.
Principal
Longfellow Elementary School
Eastlake, OH
01.2014 - 01.2019
- Supervised and evaluated 45+staff, delivering ongoing coaching and over 120 hours of professional development aligned to strategic priorities and staff growth needs.
- Led hiring and onboarding of 10+ certified and classified staff, supporting district-wide talent acquisition efforts and ensuring alignment to school and district goals.
- Secured and managed a $19,500 grant from the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation, leading building-wide implementation of Responsive Classroom practices to strengthen culture and student outcomes.
- Directed the organizational transition of 100+ students and 10+ staff during a school closure, ensuring continuity, clear communication, and a supportive environment.
- Played a key leadership role in the construction planning and opening of a new school building, coordinating logistics, staff readiness, and operational systems.
- Redesigned the master schedule to embed weekly teacher-based-team collaboration and maximize staffing efficiency, improving both staff effectiveness and student access to services.
- Led implementation of multi-building initiatives including PBIS, tutoring programs, and school-wide literacy efforts, ensuring consistency and scalability.
- Served on a district committee to review and revise anti-bullying and harassment policies, contributing to compliance, staff training, and community awareness efforts.
- Designed a Learning Lab Makerspace, to support staff instructional practices and student engagement.
Assistant Principal
Madison Middle School
Madison, OH
01.2010 - 01.2014
- Supervised and supported 30+ certified and classified staff, contributing to performance evaluation, coaching, and professional growth systems.
- Designed and implemented Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) to strengthen collaboration, improve instructional practice, and support staff accountability.
- Co-facilitated the recruitment and selection process for seven intervention specialist positions across multiple buildings, ensuring equitable hiring practices and alignment to district staffing needs.
- Co-led the redesign of the special education co-teaching model, improving role clarity, service delivery, and collaboration between general and special education staff.
- Developed and coordinated the district’s Resident Educator Program, supporting onboarding, mentoring, and retention of new teachers.
- Implemented a building-wide positive behavior and discipline system, improving consistency, staff alignment, and school climate.
- Supported the opening of a new school building, coordinating staff transition, operational systems, and organizational readiness.
- Collaborated with district leadership and staff to ensure compliance with special education requirements and support structures for diverse learners.
Education
Superintendency Cohort - Superintendent Licensure
Cleveland State University
Cleveland, OH01-2017
Master of Arts - Educational Administration, Principal PK-9
Youngstown State University
Youngstown, OH01-2009
Bachelor of Science - Middle Childhood Education Gr. 4-9, Reading K-12
Ohio University
Athens, OH01-2005
Affiliations
- OAESA, Member, Professional Conference Team Committee Member
- Lake-Geauga Elementary Principal Association, Secretary
- Lake-Geauga Assistant Principal Association, Secretary
- OASSA Assistant Principal’s Committee Member, Conference Presenter
- Medina County Future Leaders Cohort 2009
QUOTES
- House system-big initiative
- Systematized TBT, BLT, PBIS, DEIB, BAT
- Grading for Equity- yearlong planning
- Rift in building, changed culture, brought forward new change
- Hiring of various staff
- Orchestrated interview process two round hiring process for new PE and classroom teachers, including lessons with students
- Accountability of job, follow through
- Quotes Won “Helping Hands” Award
- Adults
- Systems
- Compliance
- Organizational leadership
FOCUS ON:
- TALENT DEVELOPMENT AND STAFF RETENTION
- LEADERSHIP OF ADULTS, NOT JUST STUDENTS
- EXPERIENCE WITH HIRING, EVALUATION, AND CULTURE-BUILDING
- ANY HR-RELATED SYSTEMS OR COMPLIANCE WORK
OAESA MENTORSHIP
- Three first year principals, and 7 preserve principals
- Two first year assistant principals
EXAMPLE DIRECTION:
ELEMENTARY PRINCIPAL WITH X YEARS OF LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE DRIVING STAFF DEVELOPMENT, STRATEGIC HIRING, AND POSITIVE ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE. SKILLED IN TALENT MANAGEMENT, EMPLOYEE RELATIONS, AND DATA-INFORMED DECISION MAKING TO SUPPORT DISTRICT GOALS.
MENTORSHIP
Developed and supported talent pipelines, mentoring aspiring administrators through internship experiences and leadership opportunities, contributing to district leadership capacity.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
- 6th Grade ELA Teacher, Highland Middle School, Medina, OH 2008-2010
- 5th Grade Math & ELA Teacher, North Madison Elementary, Madison, OH 2006-2008
- 4th Grade Ohio Achievement Assessment Coach, Lander Elementary, Mayfield, OH 2005-2006
Timeline
Principal
Roosevelt Elementary School
01.2019 - Current
Principal
Longfellow Elementary School
01.2014 - 01.2019
Assistant Principal
Madison Middle School
01.2010 - 01.2014
Superintendency Cohort - Superintendent Licensure
Cleveland State University
Master of Arts - Educational Administration, Principal PK-9
Youngstown State University
Bachelor of Science - Middle Childhood Education Gr. 4-9, Reading K-12
Ohio University